Weather gods are on Leamington’s side as they claim crucial victory

On a day which began with black skies and rain, it looked like there was no prospect of a game.

So it was a delight to find that, thanks to the considerable efforts of the groundstaff, aided by the arrival of warm summer sunshine, the game was on.

Eastnor won the toss and, unsurprisingly, put Leamington in to bat on a damp, slow, unpredictable wicket.

Openers Shabaz Alam and Jonathan Wigley started slowly as the ball moved around in the hands of opening bowlers Shahid (3-14 off ten overs) and Shameer Ahmed, putting on a solid partnership of 26.

The scoring rate picked up as the wicket began to dry with Lee Hopkins and captain Rob Williams moving Spa from 58 to 99 in just over four overs.

Hopkins’ innings of 31 included five fours and a six while Williams added 24 before falling to Faisal Khalid (3-38).

Max Webber added 24 and Ollie Currill 18 as Leamington closed out their 33 overs on 169 for nine.

With the sun now blazing, Eastnor came in to bat and were reduced to 24 for two as Grant Thornton (3-27 off nine) and Webber picked up a wicket apiece.

Wickets fell regularly, with only Clive Chadhani (18) and Tareq Jamil (39) showing any defiance with a partnership of 36.

A brilliant run out by Webber raised everyone’s spirits as Eastnor’s wickets continued to tumble, but with the game rapidly drawing to an conclusion it looked like the final pair would deny Leamington victory.

However, with eight balls remaining, Sajid Ali was bowled after shouldering arms to Mark Ashcroft (4-16), leaving Eastnor all out for 110.

And, within seconds of his dismissal, the heavens opened again to confirm it was definitely Leamington’s day.