LEAMINGTON’S Birmingham & District Premier Division Two title aspirations still remain going into the final two fixtures, after a comfortable victory over Halesowen by 131 runs.
Spa batted first and hit 272-5 from their innings, a score the lowly visitors were always unlikely to match, as Halesowen were out for 141 in just the 37th over.
Despite the victory, the landscape at the top of the division remains the same, with the top four all winning 20 points at the weekend – meaning the title is likely to be decided on the final day of the season.
Harrison Smith (13) was unable to repeat his previous heroics throughout the season, while Waqar Ahmed also failed to provide the support that opener Luke De Souza (97) was hoping for.
Instead, De Souza took matters into his own hands and hit the majority of the runs in a partnership of 58 with Jonathan Wigley (19), a feat immediately bettered by the arrival of number five William Mashinge (42) to the crease.
The pairing of De Souza and Mashinge laid on 80 for the fourth wicket, at which point the latter was dismissed, while the former battled on until falling to Charlie Greening at 216-5 – just three runs shy of a century.
But Leamington were in safe hands, and competently battled on to their final score thanks to unbeaten middle order pairing Oliver Currill (40) and Chris Calcott (34).
In reply, Matthew Davison (2-20) removed top order duo Jamie Harris (10) and Jack Roberson (12), which, after an initial lull in Halesowen’s run rate, preceded four wickets in the space of five overs.
During that spell, Joe Midgley (3-30) came to the fore with three wickets, while Nabeel Asghar (2-35) saw out the victory by dismissing the final two tailenders to claim another crucial victory.
Spa next host sixth-placed Himley at Arlington Avenue on Saturday (noon).
