CRICKET: Rugby CC round-up

Frustrating afternoon as rain claims games
Rugby batsman watching their innings before the rain at tea on SaturdayRugby batsman watching their innings before the rain at tea on Saturday
Rugby batsman watching their innings before the rain at tea on Saturday

Warwickshire Cricket League

Premier Division

Rugby vs Ambleside

Henry Wilkins on his way to 97, with Jeevan Barhey at the other endHenry Wilkins on his way to 97, with Jeevan Barhey at the other end
Henry Wilkins on his way to 97, with Jeevan Barhey at the other end

Rugby were left frustrated on Saturday, having powered themselves into a dominant position against Ambleside, before the rain cut the match short.

Owen Edwards lost his fourth consecutive toss and Rugby were asked to bat first on an overcast day in conditions that were ideal for seam bowling.

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Ambleside are currently bottom of the league, but started well with both opening bowlers getting the ball to move in the air.

In just the second over, medium-pacer Phil Jukes found the edge of Jeevan Barhey and Matt Ewer’s bats with consecutive balls to leave Rugby on 7-2.

Henry Wilkins on his way to 97, with Jeevan Barhey at the other endHenry Wilkins on his way to 97, with Jeevan Barhey at the other end
Henry Wilkins on his way to 97, with Jeevan Barhey at the other end

Remaining opener Henry Wilkins looked in good touch with some cleanly-struck boundaries, but Henry Parker also edged behind soon after and Rugby were reeling on 30-3, with the three dismissed batsmen contributing just one run between them.

This brought Edwards to join Wilkins at the crease and, inevitably with these two aggressive players, it appeared that Rugby would launch into a counter attack.

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Wilkins was the early aggressor, striking boundaries at will and racing past his second 50 in four innings this year, as he and Edwards added 113 for the fourth wicket.

Frustratingly for the pinch-hitter, he was eventually caught behind for 97 from 66 balls, falling agonisingly short of his first century for Rugby.

His wicket did not slow Rugby’s momentum though, with Edwards now taking over and the run rate was maintained around 7-an-over throughout the innings.

Edwards made 101 from 74 balls, including 11 fours and 5 sixes, before he was caught at long-off trying to facilitate and early declaration for his side.

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Steve Ward (18), Barry Taylor (11no) and Ed Benfield (12no) all scored quickly and, with the rain clouds looming, Rugby declared on 257-7 from 37 overs.

This attacking move proved in vain though, as the rain began during the tea break and refused to stop, so Rugby had to settle for 8 points.

Warwickshire Division 3

Marston Green 1sts vs Rugby 2nds

Rugby’s table-topping second string were also abandoned at the half-way stage of their match, after an impressive batting display had put them in a good position.

Batting first on a great batting track, Chris Evans and Vishaal Rathod opened the innings and started well until Evans (22) edged to slip with the score on 30.

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Another wicket fell soon after, but Rathod (62) and Krish Dhokian (59) compiled a classy partnership to put their side in the ascendancy.

A quickfire 36 from Mo Sadiq upped the run rate and Jonathan Sage (11) chipped in late in the innings, as Rugby closed their 50 overs on 250-7.

Rain ended the match before Marston Green’s reply began, but Rugby are still top of the table, ahead of their match with North Warwickshire this weekend.

Division 10 East

Rugby 3rds vs Ambleside 3rds

Centuries from Alex Smith and Jack Coleman set up a winning draw for Rugby 3rds, but a dogged batting performance from Ambleside meant a win never looked possible.

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Rugby batted first and, after losing Keith Bradbury (4) early on, it was one-way traffic.

Smith (137no) and Coleman (109no) both batted for the rest of Rugby’s innings, dominating the Ambleside bowlers and reaching 272-1 from their 45 overs.

The visitors were not going down without a fight though and produced a resolute effort with the bat, set up by openers Jake Holder (36) and Steven Randle (45).

The only Rugby bowler to really pose a threat was exciting, young leg-spinner Avanish Mistry (10-0-30-2), while Bradbury and Ash Koria also claimed a wicket each.

Adam Lenton (45no) also batted well, as Ambleside closed on 165-4.