CRICKET: WARWICK hosted Massey Ferguson at the weekend following a huge away win against early season title rivals Attock 3rds the week before.
Skipper Warren lost the toss as Massey decided to bat first on a flat track.
Warwick got off to a flying start with opening bowler Abhishek Sharma (20/1) dismissing Massey’s captain for just one leaving the score at 5/1 after the second over.
Opener Layton and third batsman Abbas recovered the shakey start before Layton (20) was dismissed by Rudnicki (31/3) in the tenth over with the score 68/2.
Warwick CC bowlers Lohan (35/2) and Rudnicki managed to contain the scoring rate between the 11th and the 25th over where only 28 runs were scored, picking up a few wickets on the way.
With Bhatti (59/1) taking the fifth wicket, the score reflected a level game at 114/5.
A superb innings from number five batsmen Gurjeet Minhas (69) helped steer Massey to a competitive total of 231 from 51 overs.
Warwick started in steady fashion with Burke and Passey putting on 18 for the opening four overs.
Poor balls caught out the Warwick openers as they slipped to 31/2.
With the pitch playing its part, both Smith (12) and Warren (12) found themselves at the crease with a lot on their mind.
Eventually Smith was caught when chipping the ball to mid-off.
Warwick’s five and six then lost their wicket trying to score into the offside.
At 46/5, Warwick faced a huge uphill task. Warren and Bhatti attempted to rescue what they could from the situation, however when they both fell Warwick found themselves seven wickets down and needing more than 100 runs.
Eventually Warren’s team were bowled out for 113 with Hussain starring for Massey with figures of (38/5).
Warwick next play this Saturday against Sheldon in what could be another tough encounter, this time against Sheldon.
Meanwhile on Sunday ten-man Warwick fell to a huge 245 run loss in their opening Arden League Premier Division match against Attock.
On a warm day, Warwick were set the task of chasing down 365 – which Attock set in just 40 overs.
In reply, Warwick never looked like they would get anywhere near the huge total posted by Attock as only Matthew Hodgkin (35) and Karan Patra (24) offered any resistance as Warwick were bowled out for 120 inside 28 overs.
