CONTRASTING emotions were felt by Coventry & North Warwickshire, after suffering a maximum-points defeat at Stratford-upon-Avon, just days after winning 24 points away to Sutton Coldfield.
Bank Holiday Monday’s defeat effectively puts an end to Coventry’s Warwickshire County League Premier Division title hopes, and damaged their top three aspirations, with the club sitting in fourth with two matches remaining.
After being put into bat first, Coventry & NW stumbled to 26-4 at the hands of Stratford bowler Archie Walker (3-22), who removed Taran Toor (3), William Iles (10) and skipper Vikram Sodhi (4).
Marco Higgins (39) battled on during the arduous innings, before eventually falling at the seventh wicket, caught by Tom Grundy off James Urquhart’s delivery at 82-7.
Coventry’s misery was eventually compounded from the first ball of the 39th over, ending their miserly stint at the crease on a score of 105.
Though Stratford were equally as unconvincing, the top order pair of Luke Nardone (21) and Alex Marney (26) provided a useful foundation of runs to build on.
Claiming victory in the 44th over, Stratford handed Coventry a fifth loss of the campaign.
In Saturday’s encounter at Rectory Park, Sutton Coldfield had no answer to the emphatic Greg Ricketts – who took four wickets for 21 runs conceded.
Ricketts, who bowled seven maidens, was aided by George Neal (3-21) and Harry Horsley (2-45) to limit Sutton to a score of just 136.
Coventry suffered a minor stumble in reply, losing Manbir Johal (6) at 12-1, before a partnership of 100 between Higgins (76no) and Iles (37) set Coventry on their way to victory.
Vikram Sodhi (8no) came in at number four to partner C&NW talisman Higgins, achieving victory in just the 29th over.
Coventry host Solihull Municipal on Saturday (noon).