T20 triumph for Leamington

Young’s fine knock, which combined powerful ball-striking and excellent timing with some superb running between the wickets, took Spa to a five-wicket triumph which had seemed unlikely after Berkswell posted a challenging 166 for eight.

After skipper and man-of-the- tournament Alex Phillips and opening partner Luke Radford had seen off the threat of the pacy Ed Rainsford, Young joined forces with Radford to break the back of the run chase.

Leamington had claimed a comfortable 35-run win when the sides met in the opening match of the round-robin stage, and while the second-wicket duo were at the crease a repeat seemed likely.

However, after Berkswell’s 42-year old skipper Dominic Ostler saw off Radford (48) with a brilliant run out, Young was forced to maintain his composure to ensure Spa reached a stretching target of 44 from the final four overs.

The Zimbabwean, who struck five boundaries and six maximums in his superb 56-ball knock, added to the tension by falling to the first ball of the final over. However Jack Hawkes joined father Dave to stroke the winning boundary and trigger wild celebrations among the Leamington contingent at a packed Glasshouse Park.

Berkswell’s total was built on a useful 37 from skipper Ostler before youngster Abdul Khan smashed three consecutive sixes on his way to a brisk 47.

With Leamington’s three round- robin wins all having come batting first, this made Berkswell slight favourites at the midway point before Young and Radford intervened to ensure the inaugural Carrick Travel Cup will spend the next year at Arlington Avenue.

Hosts Kenilworth Wardens clinched third place after five wickets from skipper Scott Stenning inspired a battling 37-run win over Knowle & Dorridge.

Dan Vernon’s 26 took Wardens to 56 for two during the six-over Powerplay before off-spinners Reece Saunders (2-16) and Chris Kenny (2- 10) took control to dismiss the home side for 126 in the final over.

After a slow start, a useful partnership between acting captain Dave Smith and Nathan Roberts (22) brought the Shire into contention before Stenning (5-13), Ali Wilkinson (2-12) and four dismissals from keeper Martin Donald took Wardens to victory.