LEAMINGTON CC were left frustrated by bottom side Shifnal as they settled for a winning draw in their Birmingham Premier League Division One clash – falling just three wickets short of victory.
After the home team were bowled out for 221, Leamington had Shifnal in trouble on 106-6 but could only claim one further wicket.
And the result means Leamington remain in the relegation zone, although just three points separate them from the three teams above them in the table.
Shane Dowrich starred with the bat again for Leamington as he hit a majestic 95 from 103 deliveries which included 14 boundaries.
And his contribution lifted Leamington from 44-4 to 148-5 after Luke De Souza (14), Harrison Smith (16), Jonathan Wigley (1) and Jamie Treasure (1) were all dismissed.
However, Dorwich and Oliver Currill (43) produced a superb 104-run fifth-wicket partnership to change the dynamic of the game with Leamington on 201-6 following the departure of both batters.
Joshua De Souza (24) and Dinuk De Silva (15) added some valuable runs before the home side were all out for 221.
And Leamington’s bowlers made a promising start after removing openers Jack Home (12) and Jack Edwards (20) before either batter could gather any momentum with the former falling to Matthew Davison and the latter bowled by Pierce Ryan (1-17).
Neil Smith (3-23) proved the pick of the Leamington bowlers as he accounted for Ethan Jamieson (19), Theo Wylie (1) and Jack Twigger (14).
That came after Davison (2-46) claimed his second wicket of the innings in the form of James Sookias (13) which looked to put Leamington in command with their opponents struggling on 106-6.
However, Leamington were unable to remove Shifnal captain Chris Murrall (34 not out) who faced 117 balls and seemed happy to settle for a draw.
And despite Wigley (1-4) claiming the wicket of Matthew Lamb (11), Wrigley held on to the draw to close on 138-7 from their 55 overs following a stubborn display of batting.
The club’s 2nd XI claimed a nail-biting one-wicket win against Kings Heath with captain Daniel Williams top scoring with 48 not out to see Leamington over the line.
However, the club’s 3rd XI slipped to a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Exhall and Wixford despite an unbeaten century from Stephen Vaughan (112 not out).
Lastly, Leamington’s 4th XI suffered a 23-run defeat to Stoneleigh CC, Warwicks as they fell short in their chase of 242 with pleasing knocks from Mark Davison (47) and Sebastian Bainbridge (46).
