A LATE batting collapse meant Kenilworth fell further behind in their bid to top South East Group A against leaders Standard in the Warwickshire County League.
With victory looking likely, the hosts’ batting line then suffered an incomprehensible downfall to give up their last five wickets in the space of just 11 balls and lose by 35 runs.
Tom Kidd was at the forefront for the visitors for Coventry with the ball in hand, taking four of the last five wickets in just five balls, ending the game in the 37th over to hand victory to his side.
After Standard were bowled out for 146 runs in the 42nd over, a total kept down by Kenilworth’s Joe Atkinson – who took a career-best five wickets for just 15 runs conceded in nine overs, the home side were confident of taking a victory at a key stage of the season.
And they looked likely to do just that, racing to 94-4 with the unbeaten Dan Horner (29) leading the way on 22 runs.
But when Kenilworth’s talisman was eventually lost in the 36th over after being caught by Steve Vaughan from Andrew Fox’s delivery, the dismissals came thick and fast in an extraordinary finale.
Kenilworth, third, hope to end their two-match losing run at home to Coventry & North Warwickshire Seconds, in fifth, while leaders Standard host bottom-side Kenilworth Wardens Seconds.
