CRICKET: BABLAKE Old Boys were defeated by Rugby on Saturday afternoon, though they remained mid-table in the Warwickshire Premier League despite losing.
Rugby extended the gap between themselves and fifth place Barby to 32 points while Bablake Old Boys remain in seventh, 15 points behind fellow Coventry club Standard.
Saturday’s game started with the toss being won by Rugby who elected to field first in ideal conditions.
Bablake’s innings started slowly but surely as openers Luke De Souza and Rakibul Hassan opened the innings with few worries.
However Hassan was soon caught by Hugh Cochrane off the bowling of Henry Wilkins for just eight runs while fellow opener De Souza slowly made his way to 18 before he was also caught.
Tight bowling restricted Bablake from hitting out – and often when they did it would result in the loss of wicket.
Joshua Manning (21) started promisingly before being trapped lbw having just reached the 20s while Adil Hussain (1) fell cheaply as Bablake appeared to be on the end of a strong spell of bowling from the visiting side.
A great knock of 55 from Azhar Ali helped Bablake break the 100 barrier, he received capable support from Ross Arnold – who was eventually run out for 27.
Wicketkeeper Clark McCallum was bowled for a duck while Sam Eames may consider himself unfortunate to be sent packing after being caught and bowled.
A quickfire 21 from Thomas Cowley helped Bablake limp to 181/9 from their 50 overs – a target which Rugby would’ve considered under par as the game reached the half way stage.
In reply, Rugby made a strong start with opening batsmen Asaad Qureshi and Raj Chohan both passing 35.
The pair fell in quick succession though with Qureshi standing out with a score of 41 to his name.
Qureshi and Chohan’s departure didn’t appear to dent Rugby’s confidence though as Jack Rossar and Owen Edwards also comfortably reached the 30s before Rossar was trapped lbw for 40 off the bowling of Sam Eames.
With plenty of overs remaining, Hugh Cochrane came to the crease to hit a tidy 12* and help guide Rugby home to win by seven wickets with eight overs in hand.
