LEAMINGTON’S batting woes continued in Birmingham League Division One as they could only muster 79 in a crushing defeat to Kidderminster.
The early part of the season had seen the middle and lower order rally and generally post competitive scores.
However, this was not the case at Kidderminster as Connor Smith and Patrick Brown ran through the batting order.
Leamington’s innings lasted just 26 overs with only three batsmen reaching double figures.
Extras (22) were the highest contribution while Smith 4-29 and Brown 3-7 did the damage with the ball.
Kidderminster had little trouble in knocking off the runs required as Andrew Kimberlin (36 not out) and namesake Richard (24 not out) were undefeated.
The hosts ensured an early finish by cantering to a ten-wicket win inside 14 overs.
The seconds kept up their early form in Premier Division Second XI with a fourth straight victory after getting the better of Knowle & Dorridge.
K&D were asked to bat first and, with the exception of opener Chris Williamson, played as though they had an important event to get to later in the afternoon.
Leamington’s bowling was testing but K&D’s batsmen hastened their own downfall.
Joe Midgley cut through the top order while change bowlers James Silk and Jason Butler kept up the pressure.
They all took three wickets apiece as K&D were skittled for 98 in the 33rd over.
Leamington lost an early wicket in reply but Max Lion and Dave Hawkes made steady progress towards the modest target.
Hawkes was deemed LBW for 13 but Lion played some lusty leg side blows until becoming Gareth Davies’ second wicket for 31.
Leamington’s middle order came and went without making a match-winning contribution until Jimmy Gethins played sensibly, picking the bad ball in making 19 not out as the hosts edged to 100-7 and a three-wicket victory.
The thirds moved up to second in Cotswold Hills League Division One with a six-wicket victory over Warwickshire County Council Staff while the fourths secured an 88-run success over Stratford Bards in Division Three.
On Saturday the firsts travel to Bridgnorth, the seconds entertain Wolverhampton, the thirds play host to Catherine-de-Barnes while the fourths make the trip to Broadway.
