OPENER Chris Prophet smashed a brilliant 98 to help Kenilworth secure their first win of the season and move off the foot of Warwickshire League Premier Division.
Prophet’s innings, with 13 fours and one six, steered his side to victory at Bablake Old Boys with five wickets and four overs to spare.
Prophet had earlier played a part in the Bablake innings by taking two smart catches.
Kenilworth opening bowlers Joe Boyle (1-49) and Jake Sunderland (2-23) took early wickets before Bablake’s number five Ali stroked a composed 102 not out as the hosts made 220-7 declared from 45 overs.
There were also wickets for Pat Howard (1-24), spinners Ed Ruswa (2-53) and Phil Edmonds (1-60).
It left Kenilworth with 55 overs to achieve their first win of the season.
After an early wicket, Prophet and Pat Howard (32) put on a fine 87 for the third wicket.
Then Prophet, along with Phil Edmonds (28) and Neil Goodman (25 not out) saw Kenilworth home.
* Jono Sparks and Mark Stranks shared a second-wicket stand of 136 as Kenilworth Seconds took a winning draw from their home game against Fillongley in Warwickshire Division Eight East.
After losing an early wicket, opener Stranks hit a fine 68, with six fours, and young Sparks smashed a sparkling 87, including 13 fours. With James Alty’s 45 not out, Kenilworth finished on 232-5 from their 45 overs. Tarry (2-37) and Myton (2-43) were the pick of Fillongley’s bowling.
The visitors struggled in their reply, as opening bowler Ian Baker took a fine four for 39 off ten tidy overs. He was well supported by Pete Alty, who bowled a tight spell of one for 22 from his ten overs, while young Jack Howard (1-43) and leg spinner Brad Fern (1-40) took wickets. Gardner (43) and Kerr (29) made sure Fillongley held on for a losing draw on 170-8 from their 45 overs.
* Kenilworth Thirds rattled up a season’s best score but lost by five wickets away to Earlswood Fourths at Henley in Arden CC in Cotswold Hills League Division Seven.
LEAMINGTON made quick work of their home encounter with Wellington by winning 175 runs to move closer to Birmingham League Division One leaders Walsall in their bid for promotion.
Despite an opening stand of 50, the home side bowled Wellington all out for 129 during a difficult 50 overs.
Neil Edwards (34) got Wellington off to a flying start but when he departed to Grant Thornton with the score on 50, the innings never recovered.
Thornton (17-6-29-3) bowled another outstanding opening spell alongside Faisal Khalid (15-3-30-4), who ripped through the middle order along with Mark Ashcroft (7-2-13-2) as Wellington slipped from 50-0 to 95-9.
Only a last wicket stand of 34 between Dan Lloyd (17*) and Matt Stinson (13) enabled Wellington to reach 129.
In reply, despite Jonathan Wigley falling first ball, a stand of 120 between Zack Fagg and Jamie Marsh (39) all but secured the win for Leamington.
When Marsh fell just before the close, it was left to Zack Fagg to secure the win in a fantastic innings of 79 not out from 69 balls, which included four sixes as he continues to have an excellent first season for his new club.
The win and 20 points sees Leamington keep up with the leaders Walsall in their pursuit of promotion.
