Leamington's struggles continue with Knowle rout

Leamington batted first and made an appalling start as Jon Wigley and Max Webber were dismissed in identical fashion off the first two deliveries of the match, pulling short balls into the hands of awaiting fielders.

Both were victims of the lively Ben Brookes, later to be seen on Sunday undertaking 12th man duties at Edgbaston as England beat Pakistan.

Captain Lee Hopkins foiled the hat-trick delivery before going on to make 19.

Middle-order pair Jamie Marsh and Adeel Sajid both scored 22 but the hosts made regular inroads as Leamington slumped to 89 for eight.

A free-flowing partnership between new father Billy Hallett (38) and veteran Neil Smith (23 not out) ensured a single batting point and a modicum of respectability before Leamington were dismissed for 148 with nearly 13 overs unused.

Brookes finished with five for 29 and Aussie Beau Webster bagged two victims.

As has often been the case this season Leamington’s former players returned to haunt them. On this occasion the prolific Alex Phillips was the lucky party, combining with Webster to knock off the runs without alarm inside 30 overs.

Phillips finished on 83 with a similarly untroubled Webster making 61.

Leamington’s 2nd XI slumped to a four-wicket defeat at home to Knowle & Dorridge.

Despite losing an early wicket, Leamington built steadily through Joe Somra and the enigmatic Karan Patra (20).

Somra was then joined by Jimbo Williams and the pair combined to help lift Leamington to 235 for five, with Somra making 84 and Williams finishing unbeaten on 81.

Knowle’s response was built around a patient knock of 73 not out from number three Ethan Brookes.

Leamington’s under-strength attack toiled to make significant inroads and although Patra took three quick wickets, an undefeated seventh-wicket stand between Brookes and Dan Clark (28 not) saw the visitors ease home.

Leamington 3rds arrested their slide towards the Cotswold Hills Division One relegation zone with a four-wicket win over Exhall & Wixford.

Morris (51), Smith and Perry helped Exhall to 172 for one of 29 overs but after Perry fell in Callum Bobath’s first over for 24 the Leamington bowlers managed to rein in the run rate to restrict the hosts to 243 for seven.

Smith finished unbeaten on 99.

James Cowan launched the Leamington innings in his usual combative style, scoring 117 in an opening stand of 141 off just 20 overs.

After his dismissal, partner Mark Reynolds (36) took over and lifted the score to 180 before a three-wicket wobble left Leamington needing 50 to win with five wickets in hand.

Skipper Matt Dale then steadied the nerves with an unbeaten 28 to guide his team to a much-needed win.

A 48-run victory at home to Berkswell on Sunday kept Leamington in second place in the Arden League.

Batting first, Leamington started positively through Joe Somra (34) and Jon Wigley (27).

Regular wickets meant Billy Hallett, with assistance from Karan Patra (49), had to take the initiative and allow Leamington to progress to a big total.

Hallett regularly found the boundary in a skilled 68, with Leamington finishing on 231 for eight.

Berkswell, in response, struggled to cope with the pace and accuracy of William Field (8-4-30-4) who ran through the top order in a marvellous spell which, along with wickets from Febin Simon and Lee Credgington, had the visitors in disarray at 91 for eight.

Berkswell skipper Taroni (47) and Patel (27 not out) fashioned a mini fightback but Wigley (3-25) returned to the attack to finish the game off.