A MUCH-NEEDED three-wicket victory over Wolverhampton reignited Kenilworth Wardens’ Birmingham & District Premier Division Two title challenge – led by unstoppable centurion Harry Johnson.
Coming in at number four with the hosts limping to 37-2, Johnson hit a quickfire 116 runs from 94 balls faced – including seven boundaries, three sixes and a notable partnership of 98 runs alongside Tom Mordey (44) – to drag his side to victory with just four balls remaining.
Visitors Wolverhampton managed 229-7 after electing to bat first, with opener Ramanjot Jaswal (52) and Charlie Home (70 not out) getting the scoreboard ticking over at Glasshouse Park.
No matter what Kenilworth threw at their opponents, Wolverhampton were able to post a respectable score.
Jabez Weale led the home bowling with 4-54.
With a revised target of 251 posing a greater challenge to the home side, the Wardens suffered shaky start.
Early losses of Nick Seagar (0) and Ali Zaryab (14) left Kenilworth’s reply needing inspiration – and Johnson stepped up to the challenge.
Piecing together a stand of 46 runs with Keith Bell (27), the home side’s talisman had to stand firm while his batting partners regularly departed the crease.
But when a seventh-wicket partnership with Mordey fired Kenilworth up to the 230-run mark, it was game on again.
Needing eight runs for victory from the final over, Tommy Rex (10no) hit two, followed by a sensational six to clinch victory in dramatic fashion.
Wardens’ eighth win this season leaves them third as they head to bottom-side Oswestry on Saturday.
