CRICKET: LEAMINGTON have been sucked back into a relegation fight following a disappointing defeat at home to Moseley.
Asked to bat first by the league pace-setters, Leamington could only reach 124 all out against testing bowling.
The experienced opening attack of Naqaash Tahir and Fred Eburah collected seven wickets between them as only two of Leamington’s top order made it into double-figures.
Only tailenders James Silk and Matt Davison passed 20 before Leamington’s limited resistance was ended with two wickets for Ali Awan.
Moseley bowlers Eburah (33/4) and Tahir (44/3) starred with the ball.
There was a glimmer of hope for Spa in the early stages of Moseley’s reply as they slipped to 10/2.
This was only a temporary inconvenience for the Birmingham side though as Rob Yates and Mark Adair took the score to 75, before the latter was dismissed for 36, the first of two wickets for Nabeel Asghar.
Yates was untroubled though as he made a patient 56* as Moseley reached their modest target with six wickets remaining.
Results elsewhere saw Leamington drop to next to bottom in the division and looking for an upturn in performance.
2nd XI
In contrast to the first team, Leamington’s 2nd XI experienced a comfortable victory at Moseley.
The hosts were dismissed for 134 and relied almost solely on Adam Belfield (67).
Tim Smedley and Joe Midgley accounted for the top and middle order as Moseley looked unlikely to reach three figures, until Belfield’s intervention.
He became one of a pair of victims for Jimmy Gethins.
The star though was left-armer Smedley whose efforts earned him four wickets.
Despite losing an early wicket, Leamington’s batsmen all contributed.
Dave Hawkes looked set for another half-century before offering a return catch to Kamran Din on 48, Matt Payne also falling victim to Din for 26.
Nick Couzens and Jimbo Williams saw Leamington to the winning post at 136/4 with over 12 overs in hand.
3rd/4th XI
The 3rd XI remain in danger of relegation following defeat at home to Exhall and Wixford.
Leamington made an excellent start through Joe Somra and Mark Reynolds, the pair registered a century partnership to put title-chasers Exhall under pressure.
Somra (80) was the first to go before Rob Perry ripped through Leamington’s middle order, taking six huge wickets.
The wheels fell off Leamington’s innings entirely as they subsided from 159/1 to 193 all out.
In reply, Exhall were in some trouble with three wickets down early, but Videsh and skipper Steve Kerby regained momentum – both passing fifty as Exhall moved to an inevitable win.
The 4th XI meanwhile faded out of the promotion picture in Division Four following defeat at rivals Blockley.
Despite fielding well on a lightning quick outfield, key chances went begging and too many extras were donated as Blockley racked up an impressive 279.
Leamington could only reach 215 in reply, earning seven bonus points.
