Tom Lewis and Luke Radford produced a superb stand of 173 runs to help Leamington to an impressive Premier Division winning draw against Himley at Arlington Avenue on Saturday.
It was a first-class effort from the side, which is still without captain Rob Williams, overseas star Faisal Irfan and Oxford University player Mark Lewis. They richly deserved their 16-point haul.
Having lost the toss they were asked to bat. Afte
r a steady start wickets fell regularly and after 36 overs the score was 98 for 7, with only Alex Phillips (24) making a contribution of note.
From that point the crowd were treated to a run feast by Lewis (146) and Radford (91no). Lewis was always dominant and batted beautiully in a 113-ball innings which included 17 fours and eight sixes.
Radford made his intentions clear from the outset too, hitting eight fours and five sixes in an agressive but well constructed innings.
At the end of 55 overs Spa had amassed 299 for 7 and the Lewis/Radford partnership had contibuted 173 runs in 16 overs.
Facing such a large total on a flat wicket, Himley were always going to make a bold bid. They were scoring at five an over until Jack Hawkes nipped in with two wickets in one over.
It didn't take long for the visitors to get back on track though - Tranter and captain Wright put on 116 in rapid time. Lewis again got in on the action, taking 2 for 29. Valuable support came from Neil Smith, Tom Warner and Radford managed to take nine wickets and almost secure victory.
Leamington's young, inexperienced second team produced another encouraging performance against Harborne - and could have been celebrating a victory if they had held their catches.
Electing to field first after winning the toss, Gaurav Gandecha bowled a fantastic opening spell on his league debut for the club, beating the bat on numerous occasions and finishing with two wickets.
Leading wicket-taker Zac Grant bowled well again, also taking two. Unfortunately Leamington contrived to put down eight catches, with Harborne's batsmen taking full advantage of their opportunity and making Leamington pay on their small home ground, eventually ending up on 305 for 5.
Having to chase another big target, Leamington caried on where they left off last week with another good batting display.
Richard Swann did the damage with a superb 134 and while he was at the crease Leamington were always up with the required run rate.
There were other notable contribtions from young Lee Credginton (23), Mark Davison (32) and Gaurav (35no), but with wickets falling regularly the team decided to end the run-chase, finishing with another credible draw.
Leamington 3rds continued their bright start to the season with an eight-wicket win over Temple Grafton at Arlington Avenue.
The visitors made a poor start as Paul Smith made early inroads in to the top order taking 4 for 23 (all bowled).
Grafton made some headway through the belligerent Holt, but after he departed for 34, the innings subsided to 111 All Out with Rob Grant and Mark Ryan claiming two cheap wickets apiece.
Spa openers Rob Ainscow and Paul Wilson made rapid inroads into the Grafton total, aided by some 'West Indian' fielding as seven catches were spilled.
Wilson, whose batting is modelled on fellow Yorkshireman Geoff Boycott, played some pleasing, if surprising, lofted drives, before falling for 39. Ainscow passed 50 for the second week, as Leamington coasted to victory in the 21st over.
n Leamington under-11s made a winning start on bank holiday Monday against Kenilworth Nomads as Jack Bewick excelled with bat and ball.
The under-13s fell at the first hurdle in the Warwickshire Cup at Dorridge. The hosts were restricted to 80 for 6 in 20 overs with Tom Howard (4-10) and Will Field the outstanding bowlers.
Leamington's batting was brittle though, and they fell two runs short finishing on 78 for 8. In contrast the under-15s moved in to the next round, with opponents Griff & Coton forfeiting the tie as they could not raise a side.
The under-16s made short work of Pak Shaheen in their opening Coventry League match, despite only fielding nine players.
