Warwickshire & West Midlands Sport

Spa off to fine start

LEAMINGTON signalled their intentions for an instant return to the Birmingham League top flight by recording an 18 run opening day Division One victory over West Bromwich Dartmouth at Arlington Avenue on Saturday.
Openers Alex Phillips 33 and Lee Hopkins 57 laid solid foundations for Spa who were indebted to useful middle-order contributions from Simon Magill 38, skipper Rob Williams 56 and Jack Hawkes 17 for reaching a total of 242 for 9. Khan 4-71 and Poonia 2-27 were the most successful bowlers for the visitors.
Dartmouth were quickly on the back foot as opening bowlers Dam McCarthy and Faisal Khalid grabbed four quick wickets.
Stiff middle order resistance came from Tappin 40, Ahmed 40 and Sajjad 29 but Tom Lewis ripped out the middle order during an inspired spell which was rewarded with fine figures of 4-47.
Dartmouth tail-ender Khan proceeded to frustrate Spa with an innings of 61 but he was eventually removed by off-spinner Jack Hawkes 2-35 and the reply ended on 224 in the final over.
Kahlid 3-56 and McCarthy 1-29 were the other wicket-takers.
The 2nds made a fine start to the season with a 52 run victory at Wolverhampton.
Spa, inserted on a wet pitch, reached 41 after ten overs thanks to openers Rob Wollaston 29 and Mark Best 60. Captain James Uddin added 25, while Mark Davison pushed the score along and Leamington totalled 164 for 9.
Splendid seam bowling from Tim Westwood 2-24 and Gaurav Gandecha 1-33 repeatedly beat the bat and restricted the hosts to 49 for 1 after 25 overs. Uddin 3-30 and Tony Allcock 3-17 demolished the middle order and Wolves were dismissed for 112.
Leamington 3rds edged a six run verdict at neighbours Warwick County Council Staff in a low scoring Cotswold Hills League Division One clash at Myton on Saturday.
Spa were dismissed for just 93 with Ron Ainscow hit 35 to which Udit 13 and Matt Dale 16 added.
It proved just enough as Rob Grant 5-19 and Udit 4-32 combined to bowl Staff out for 87 of which Nidger 24, Bliss 19no and Webster 12 were top scorers.
The 4ths held on for a draw against Sheldon Marlborough 3rds in their West Midlands League opener.
Sheldon were restricted to 126 for 6 with 14-year-old Paul Lawrence proving pick of the bowlers by taking 3-17, while the venerable Mark Ryan returned 2-33.
Leamington lost three quick wickets in reply before under 14s Will Dixon 20 and Will Field 29 steadied the ship. Captain Ken Hopkins then made 47 as Spa closed on 116 for 7.

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