LEAMINGTON held onto top spot in the Birmingham & District Premier Division Two, despite a losing draw at home to Bromsgrove on Saturday.
A change in format led to an uncontested toss, with Bromsgrove batting first.
Opener Mike Hingley was bowled early on by Joe Midgley, but fellow opener Jayden Levitt hit a stunning 61 before being caught by Matthew Davison at 133-2.
Ashley Newfield’s 132 rocked Spa further in their hopes for a fifth win of the season, but was eventually caught out by fielder William Mashinge.
Alistair Hickman (4) and Ryan Pedley (3) were dismissed at the tail end of the innings, but the damage had already been done and left Leamington with a target of 247 to chase.
Matthew Payne (1) was the first to go at 23-1, whilst Luke De Souza (21) was made to walk to the pavilion at 41-2, with Spa failing to build momentum in their run chase.
Waqar Ahmed was the top-scoring batsman for Spa with 46 runs, being dismissed as the fifth wicket after Jonathan Wigley (21) and Mashinge (1) had fallen in quick succession.
Ollie Currill (29) and Chris Calcott (33) brought some reprieve, but both were deceived by the bowling of the in-form Newfield (3-30).
With nine wickets gone following dismissals for Nabeel Ashgar (17) and Matthew Davison (3), the final-pairing of Perry Derrick and Midgley ensured Spa had some points on the board for their efforts, guiding their side to 202-9 from their 55 overs faced.
Leamington’s first team next head to third-placed Harborne on Saturday, who lost comfortably to Ombersley last time out.
Spa’s second string also stay top of the pile in Warwickshire League Division Two, after comfortably seeing off Dunlop Stars by a nine-wicket margin.
Stars batted first and had opener Mohammed Baber to thank for top-scoring with 63, whilst Inqilab Khan also impressed with 48 scored.
Dishant Sheth took three wickets for 47 runs conceded, helping add to the Spa cause, as the hosts were bowled for 203.
Cameron Mitchell (35) was the sole Leamington batsman to be dismissed, setting up for Jacob Sargeant (89) and Ibrahim Afzal (60) to guide Spa to 205 with six overs remaining.
Leamington’s second string host Kenilworth Wardens next.
Over in the Cotswold Hills League Division One, Spa’s third team moved up to fourth after beating Ashton-under-Hill by two wickets.
Shaun Williams and Ben Lane took two wickets apiece, as Ashton finished on 178-8, whilst unbeaten pair Jack Jewson (31) and Muhammed Dogar (43) took Spa to victory with 12 overs remaining.
They next host Leek Wootton at home on Saturday.
