Cricket
Spa fall to title contenders

LEAMINGTON slipped to the foot of the Birmingham League Premier Division table after suffering an eight wicket defeat at title contenders Knowle & Dorridge on Saturday.

A wet outfield and wicket delayed the start until 3.55pm and Leamington, having lost the toss, were asked to bat but suffered an early setback when Warwickshire’s Steff Piolet dismissed David Bailey in the first over.

However, Leamington recovered thanks to the returning duo of Alex Phillips (24) and Will Tavare (33) before the former was unfortunately run out backing up at the non-strikers end.

Sam Cheshire hit an aggressive 28 and Jason Young contributed a useful 19 which took the final score to 132 for 9 off 25 overs with Piolet returning excellent figures of 6-40.

Knowle stumbled to 27 for 2 as Young had Smith (9) caught at slip and then bowled Piolet without scoring during a splendid opening burst.

But Sam Reddish (48no) carried his bat and formed an excellent partnership with Chishti (62no).

The pair added an unbeaten 107 for the third wicket which guided Knowle to 134 for 2, despite the fading light, with seven balls to spare.

Leamington should take some confidence from a much improved performance into a home game against West Bromwich Dartmouth at Arlington Avenue this Saturday (12noon).

The 2nds were forced to hold on for a draw in their clash against Knowle & Dorridge at Arlington Avenue.

The visitors made good use of a perfect wicket, none more so than opener Alec Baker who compiled a magnificent 158no which ensured a total of 256 for 7.

Darrel Williams was the pick of the Spa attack with 3-71, while Tom Davison took 2-59 and Lee Credgington 1-27.

Leamington lost two early wickets, but Williams and Ben Howard battled hard as K&D sought to drive home their advantage.

Opener Howard fell after the drinks break for a patient 48 and Williams made a gutsy 27, while Gaz Strangwood hit 23no to guide the hosts to safety at 137 for 7.

Leamington began their defence of the Coventry Under 16 League with an easy 121-run win over Highway in a match reduced to 14 overs a side.

Leamington totalled 154 for 4 thanks to a second wicket partnership of 110 between Darrel Williams (62) and Josh Boorman (54no).

Highway were restricted to 33 for 7 thanks to wickets from Raj Jabarkhain 2, Will Field, Stuart Budd and Abdul Naziri.

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