Tough test in Premier opener

30 April 2008

LEAMINGTON could not have faced a tougher start to their Birmingham & District Premier League programme than Saturday’s trip to Walsall.
Their hosts will be attempting to become the first side to win three successive titles since they, themselves, achieved the feat between 1935-37.
Skipper Rob Williams led his youthful Spa team to the First Division crown last summer and they are confident their return to the Premier flight will offer something more memorable than a repeat of their 2005 experience, when they were relegated after an unsuccessful first attempt at the higher level. Walsall will provide instant proof that Leamington have made a major step up in class.
Warwickshire’s Luke Parker has been allocated to the Arlington Avenue club and is expected to offer the consistent Williams with talented support in the pursuit of runs. But Spa’s young brigade will again be at the forefront of their ambitions with wicket-keeper Michael Balac, brothers Tom and Mark Lewis and Lee Hopkins hopeful of injecting exciting contributions to the batting cause.
Popular Pakistani Faisal Irfan has returned for another stint, this time as the main strike bowler following Francois Klopper’s return to South Africa after 12 brilliant years at Leamington. Irfan, who took 40 wickets last season, will again have former Warwickshire and England star Neil Smith to lend experienced support.
The bowling attack has been strengthened with the capture of Luke Radford from neighbours Stratford. Radford, son of former Worcestershire and England Test player Neil, packs a lot of potential and together with Jack Hawkes and Tim Westwood can continue to make the people at Edgbaston take notice that they have what it takes to continue onwards and upwards.
“It is going to be a challenging season but we happy with our squad,” said Clive Antrobus, the Leamington club’s chairman of cricket. “In Luke Parker we have been handed a very good cricketer who can, Warwickshire commitments permitting, make a huge difference to our batting potential. And anyone who saw the way our teenagers performed last summer will know that the club is heading in a very positive direction.”
Sunday offers an attractive National KO fixture with Stratford visiting Arlington Avenue (1.00) in an intriguing first round tie. Stratford have captured Paul Best and Dan Sutton over the winter and both will be out to do well against their former team.
Saturday’s programme sees Leamington at home against Walsall in the opening Premier Division 2nd X1 competition(1.30), while the 3rds make their baptism in Division One of the Cotswold Hills League with a trip to Stratford. Spa 2nds go to Olton & West Warwicks for a friendly fixture on Sunday.
Leamington overcame Saturday visitors Warwick University but only after a testing friendly fixture which saw just 10 runs separate two well-matched teams.
Double figure scores for Mark Lewis (37), Michael Balac (29), Lee Hopkins (28), Luke Radford (27), Ross Antrobus (22 not) and Jack Hawkes (22) helped Spa reach a respectable 202-9 in their 50 overs against useful bowling from Tim Morton (4-45) and Matt Van-Poppel (2-17),
It was always going to be a tight affair with opener Richard Murrall putting up a neat 71, but the students finally bowed out on 192 with Tim Westwood (3-30), Tom Lewis (3-52) and Jack Hawkes (2-24) the leading wicket takers.
Veteran club president Mark Ryan has opened his 51st consecutive playing season in irrepressible form, playing a star role in the 2nd/3rd X1’s defeat of visiting Long Itchington.
Ryan included an all-run four off the last ball of the home innings, sparkling stuff from a man of his years, and then reeled off a splendid 3-1-4-4 return as the villagers were removed for 91 in reply to a challenging 180-8. Chris Cheslin (2-5) and Billy Hallett (2-14) were also in good early nick with the ball, while Graham Foster 28 and Martyn Rawbone 29 top scored.
Mark Davison included nine fours and a six in his powerful 92 as Leamington were made to fight hard for their runs against a competitive seven-man bowling attack, the pick of which were Neil Hudson, Craig White and Sephen Rawbone, and there was a late cameo from young Nathan Credgington (27no).

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