KENILWORTH Wardens defended just 129 in a nail-biting finish to claim 24 points against Dorridge in the Birmingham League Premier Division.
Wardens started in the best possible fashion with Nick Seager (53) dispatching the bowling to all parts of Glasshouse Park, propelling the hosts 83-1 in a hurry.
However, the middle order continued their frustrating form and collapsed to 89-6 and then 129 all out, thanks only to some graft from Max Silvester (17) as well as some lusty, agricultural blows from Paul Rowe (12).
Wardens were bowled out inside 32 overs and questions remain over the substance and ability of the batting unit.
However, the hosts bowled impeccable lines and lengths after the tea break and managed to chip away regularly at the Dorridge wickets column.
Prerak Mankad continued his superb form with the ball with a return of 6-55.
This effort was aided by some poor strokeplay and catastrophic game-management which saw the visitors’ opener Aarib Khan run out on 31 by Finn McCreath.
Wardens had the opposition at 41-4 and then 72-7 before tail-ender Iftikhar Ahmed (36) chanced his arm in order to take Dorridge to within six runs of victory.
Wardens were staring down the barrel of defeat on more than one occasion and it seemed certain as Ahmed lifted Rowe (3-32) over deep mid-wicket for six which left the visitors one hit away.
Ahmed’s middle stump was rattled the next ball by Rowe and scenes of pandemonium unfolded at Glasshouse Park as Wardens won by six runs.
Wardens travel to Berkswell on Saturday.
The seconds cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Harborne in the Second XI Premier Division.
Harborne were put into bat after losing the toss and were bowled out for 199 with Simon Harding (84) top scoring for the hosts.
In reply Wardens lost Ben Rex (1) early doors but the partnership of Robin De Regt (82 not out) and Sam Neale (104no) guided the visitors to 200-1.
The thirds lie third in Cotswold Hills League Division Two after completing a five-wicket win at Woodbourne.
Woodbourne raced to 131-0 through openers Steve Rooney (90) and Sam Lewis (46) but the hosts were all out for 202, thanks to some superb bowling from Nick Whiting (4-48).
Wardens’ reply was solid as Fred Rex (73) and Paul Jacob (85) pushed the score to 161 without loss.
A mini collapse to 174-4 followed after quick wickets from Ben Crawshaw (3-66) and Dave Thane (2-29) but Wardens steadied the ship to ease to 203-5 in the 44th over.
The fourths returned to winning ways in Division Six with an eight-wicket home victory over Bearley.
Bearley posted a reasonable score of 192 all out with Tom Clayton (3-35) and Sam Johnson (2-37) the pick of the bowlers.
Wardens responded positively and reached their target of 193 for the loss of just two wickets.
Opener Les Reid played solidly to finish on 50 not out, while Stuart Johnson (57) and Eian Mariller (45 not out) provided the impetus for Wardens to achieve victory.
Elsewhere, the fifths recorded a three-wicket success over Kineton seconds in Division Seven.
Kineton were out for 124 in the 37th over but Wardens made hard work of their run chase, eventually reaching 125-7 off 39 overs.
