CHRIS Calcott hit a stunning 96 to send Leamington on their way to a 24-point victory over Brockhampton in Birmingham & District Premier Division Two.
The victory keeps Spa in touching distance of leaders Ombersley – who also claimed maximum points – after Calcott’s instant impact at number eight in the batting order.
He smashed ten balls into the boundary and seven sixes from just 55 balls faced, to bolster Leamington’s score and help the hosts finish on a 223 total.
After Brockhampton elected to field first, Spa slipped to 24-2 when losing Waqar Ahmed (7) and Ibrahim Afzai (5) cheaply, though number four Jonathan Wigley (20) helped get his side up and running.
Opener Harrison Smith (35) battled on stubbornly despite having to watch a number of batting partners head back into the pavilion, but his departure at 106-7 did little to inspire hopes of a Leamington victory.
Nabeel Asghar (7) helped support Calcott, who began to get into his stride, with the duo putting on 32 for the eighth wicket, before the latter smashed 70 alongside Matthew Davison (29) prior to his dismissal.
Davison was caught by Charlie Scott from a Nicholas Powell (3-46) delivery to finish Leamington’s innings, though the hosts stood in much greater stead after the interventions of their tailenders.
In reply, Brockhampton slipped to 76-5, much in part to early wickets by Joe Midgley (3-64), though a sixth-wicket partnership of 73 between Scott (27) and Powell (74) helped re-ignite Brockhampton’s challenge.
With Asghar (3-58) and Wigley (2-22) beginning to find success with their deliveries, Leamington helped nullify the threat posed by Brockhampton.
The visitors’ talisman Powell was eventually caught by Calcott off a William Mashinge ball to end the Brockhampton innings and ensure a victory by 39 runs.
Leamington return to action on Saturday (noon) with a trip to Worcestershire to face Bromsgrove.
