OLLIE Currill capped a weekend to remember for Leamington Spa by helping fire them into the last eight of the Royal London National Club Championship.
Having produced a crucial all-round effort in Saturday’s win against Moseley in the Birmingham League Premier Division One, Currill starred with a blistering 91 not out off just 54 balls as Leamington swept aside Neston by 97 runs at Arlington Avenue 24 hours later.
On Sunday, Currill’s six-wicket stand of 110 runs with Nathan Hooker (40 not out) proved a match-defining one.
Having won the toss and batted first, Umar Siddique Khan steered Leamington through some early batting travails but when he fell for 65 off 67 balls they were 108-4. That became 153-5 when Waqar Ahmed departed but Currill and Hooker put the hosts back in charge, reaching a 100 stand in 65 balls.
Currill’s innings included ten sixes and four fours and Hooker hit six fours as Leamington ended on 263-5.
Neston had a steady start but once the first wicket fell with the score on 35 Leamington struck regularly. Currill led the bowling with 2-23 and Ahmd ended with 2-39 as the Cheshire side were skittled for 166 in 35 overs.
On Saturday, Leamington had proved far too strong for a Moseley side anchored to the foot of the Premier Division One table with a 47-run win.
Currill (38no) and Jon Wigley (35) provided the bulk of the runs in a tally of 162 all out in the 51st over. But their team-mates, with the exception of Ahmed (27) found the going tough against Ali Awan (3-25) and Fred Eburah (3-36).
Any hopes of a win for Moseley disappeared when they crashed to 46 for seven with Currill (4-18) leading the attack for Leamington.
Andrew Umeed showed some resistance with 38 and Usman Awan was unbeaten on 26 but Moseley were all out in the 50th over for 115.
Leamington, who sit sixth in the table, head to Ombersley on Saturday.
