Spa bowlers wilt in the sun as West Bromwich make hay

On the first warm, dry day of the season, Leamington won the toss and elected to bowl first and were soon rewarded as Jabarkheil removed Leicestershire professional Kadeer Ali in his first over.

However, this was to be Leamington’s only success for a while as the bowlers toiled away during a 155-run second-wicket partnership between former Scotland international Navdeep Poonia (94) and James Campbell (76).

When the pair were finally broken, Warwickshire professional Ateeq Javid maintained the momentum with a sparkling innings of 78 which included several Kevin Pietersen-esque switch-hits.

Despite four wickets from Udit Talati, the Birmingham side plundered a huge first innings total of 315 for six from their 55 overs.

Leamington got off to a fine start in reply as openers Alex Phillips (70) and Will Tavare (91) combined quick singles with lusty blows to put on 156 for the first wicket.

However, Tavare, Phillips and Dave Bailey fell in the space of 15 runs and, despite Sam Cheshire (20) and Luke Radford (33) getting starts, Naheem Sajjad (14.2-2-65-4) and Kadeer Ali (17-0-85-5) combined to bowl Leamington out for 251.

Leamington’s 3rds slumped to a seven-wicket defeat at home to Alcester & Ragley in Division One of the Cotswold Hills League.

The hosts failed to capitalise on a good wicket and it was left to the middle and lower order to bring the score up to 218 for eight off 45 overs, with David Lord (61), Liam Killian (43) and Guy Stanton (30 not out), the chief contributers.

Alcester lost two quick wickets but were always ahead of the run rate and reached the target in the 39th over.

Leamington 4ths held on for a losing draw in their Division Six match at Inkberrow.

The hosts had first use of a decent track and soon piled on the runs, aided by a number of spilled catches, to amass 242 for five.

Leamington lost three early wickets in response and and were never in the hunt, although Lewis Baker and Ken Hopkins battled well.

Hopkins made 36 and Baker finished unbeaten on 90 as Leamington finished on 179 for seven.