Former Spa star Phillips delivers knockout blow

Leamington 2nds bowler Will Field celebrates after taking the wicket of Kenilworth 2nds James Madley in their friendly encounter. Picture: Morris Troughton

The towering former Leamington star compiled an even-time 110 as the hosts cruised past Wardens’ 225-run target with eight wickets in hand and 15 balls remaining.

Phillips found the boundary 13 times and cleared it twice during his fine knock.

He added 48 with opening partner Dom Harding (24) before Dave Myers, who made an unbeaten 55, joined him in a match-defining 172-run second-wicket stand.

James Jordan and Ross Parnell claimed a wicket apiece for the visitors’ depleted attack, while Rajan Bhatti (0-28) returned the most economical analysis.

Earlier, Ryan Parnell’s second consecutive half-century since joining the Glasshouse Park club headlined a consistent batting display. He added 89 for the second wicket with Keith Bell (40) before Nathan Edwards (43 from 29 balls) built on his opening-day ton.

A late flurry from another Wardens’ new boy, Nick Sale, who made a breezy 35 against his former club, enabled Martin Donald’s team to post what seemed a challenging 40-over target.

Spinner Chris Davidson (3-50) and Myers (2-33) led the way for K&D with the ball.

Wardens begin their Birmingham Premier League campaign tomorrow with a tricky-looking visit to Barnt Green.

The presence of India A star Sitanshu Kotak, who returns to the UK for his 20th and final season, provides a welcome boost, while Matt Hancock and Scott Stenning are also expected to return to the side.

Wardens crashed out of the ECB T20 Cup on Sunday, courtesy of an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of visitors Walsall.

Only Nick Seager (21) made any impression with the bat for the hosts against an accurate six-man visiting attack led by Josh Bowker (2-11), Alex McChristie (2-14) and Dave Powles (3-16).

Wardens’ 98 for nine looked some distance below-par and this soon proved to be the case as Walsall’s top order, led by James Middleton (22) and Bowker (23 not out) raced to an eight-wicket win in only 11 overs.

An unbeaten 63 from Mark Pidgeon could not prevent Kenilworth 2nds going down to a five-wicket defeat against Leamington 2nds in a friendly at Arlington Road.

Pidgeon put on 53 with Daniel Phillips (31) after Paul Lawrence (2-14) had helped reduce Wardens to 18 for three.

Tom Ballinger added late impetus with 31 off 35 balls as Wardens reached 162 for eight off their 45 overs.

However, Leamington reached their target with more than ten overs to spare thanks to Billy Hallett’s near run-a-ball 75.