In-form Thornton puts Wellington on the back foot

Rob Williams elected to bowl first with favourable conditions to take advantage of and Grant Thornton (3-30) continued his fine start to the season with his third three-wicket haul in as many games, removing former Nottinghamshire and Somerset player Neil Edwards (12) and Jamie Miller (7) to leave the hosts 32 for two.

Lloyd batted for a long time for 26 before Tom Lewis (3-20), Matthew Davison (1-17) and Mark Ashcroft (1-23) tied down Wellington’s middle order, reducing the hosts to 118 for seven.

However, Vaughan (31) and Byram (21 not out) steadied the ship as Wellington set Leamington 169 to win on a wicket that did plenty throughout.

In reply, Leamington got off to a shaky start as Shahbaz Alam (6) and Ollie Curril (2) were removed early.

However, Zack Fagg (44) and David Bailey (34) set about rebuilding the innings with a partnership of 47.

A flurry of wickets in the middle overs made for a nervy finish but Tom Lewis (25), Mark Ashcroft (19 not out) and Grant Thornton (9 not out) ensured there were no further hiccups.

Leamington 2nds went down to an eight-wicket defeat at home to West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Leamington were put into bat on a damp, green pitch and Joe Somra (45) and Steve Dyer (30) laid a solid platform.

After Dyer fell trying to hit his second six of the innings, Jon Wigley took charge.

He was joined by Jimbo Williams (50), who added impetuous to the innings and they put Leamington into a decent position before Wigley was dismissed for 92.

Wayne Killian (23 not out) finished the innings with some lusty blows to the short boundary as Leamington closed on a healthy-looking 279 for six.

With an improving pitch and a short boundary to protect it was important Leamington bowled with control and fielded well. However, they fell short on both departments.

At drinks, West Bromwich had raced along to 170 for the loss of just one wicket and the game had been all but won.

Leamington’s change bowlers were unable to slow down the run rate as Ibrahim Jiva (110 not out) completed his century.

Ruki De Silva (68) and Shahzeb Raja (51) provided the support as West Bromwich reached their target with more than six overs remaining.

 Leamington sailed through to the second round of the Coventry Charity Knock Out Cup with an easy six-wicket win at Coventry & North Warwickshire.

Coventry batted first and could only just scrape three figures against Leamington’s varied attack.

Jack Horsley was undefeated on 49, but the total of 103 for four in 18 overs seemed under par.

Leamington made a confident start through Lee Hopkins and Shabaaz Alam.

Hopkins went on to make 33 and, with support from the middle order, Leamington coasted to 104 for four with more than two overs in hand.