Alam’s maiden Leamington ton cannot prevent another defeat

Batting first, Leamington made good progress against the Malvern side’s varied attack, with opener Shabaaz Alam scoring his maiden century for the club.

Alam made 102 at a run-a-ball with 15 fours and two sixes before becoming one of three victims for Worcestershire’s Graeme Cessford.

Leamington’s supporting batsmen chipped in, with Paul Best making 36 as they closed on 260 for eight.

In response, Green’s openers Adam Dovey (75) and Mark Hooper (50) both rode their luck, adding 151 for the first wicket before both falling in quick succession.

Faisal Khalid struck three times in the middle order, but a generous supply of extras (38) and lack of a slow bowler meant Green squeezed home with five wickets down and four balls to spare.

Leamington 2nds were left frustrated after their long trip to Shrewsbury ended in a last-over defeat.

Leamington’s total of 223 for nine owed much to a fifth-wicket partnership between Jim Gethins and Jack Hawkes, who came together with Leamington wobbling at 39 for four.

Gethins made 79 and Hawkes went one better with 80, but they received little support from their fellow batsmen.

In contrast, Shrewsbury’s batsmen made contributions throughout the order, though none reached fifty.

However Leamington’s Achilles heel of extras donated 34 to the total to allow Shrewsbury to reach their target with a ball and two wickets to spare.

Leamington’s third string suffered a second successive defeat at the hands of Cotswold Hills Division One table-toppers Catherine-de-Barnes.

With barely a fit frontline bowler to call on, Leamington tried out seven different options, with captain-for-the-day Mark Davison taking two for 37 in his ten overs and Joe Somra picking up three wickets.

However Leamington’s scourge of extras, in particular wides, boosted Catney’s total by 36 as they took tea on 238 for seven.

Rob Ainscow and James Cowan passed fifty at a healthy rate but their dismissals in successive overs heralded a procession of wickets as Leamington’s middle order failed to handle the part-time spin of Luke Hanlon, who took four wickets to add to his earlier knock of 68.

Only Connor Grant (37) showed the requisite application as Leamington stumbled to 149 all out with 11 overs to play.

Leamington’s 4ths romped to a ten-wicket win over Bidford in Division Six.

Bidford made poor use of a superb batting track, limping to 118 all out in 42 overs in the face of fine bowling from Dan Mills (2-3) and James Wilson (3-32).

Leamington wasted little time in chasing down the total with Billy Hallett’s unbeaten 83 coming at a rate of two runs per ball and including 11 fours and 5 sixes.

Mills was more measured, making 21 not out as Leamington swept past their target in 11 overs.