Rajinder Singh Bhatti, pictured here in bowling action, was the difference for Warwick. Picture by Warwick CC.
IN A WEEKEND blighted by adverse weather, Warwick’s Sunday first XI edged Nuneaton by a single wicket in a tense Arden Sunday Division One encounter.
The result was the perfect way for WCC to get their campaign underway at Hampton Road, with the rest of the club’s adult sides all out of action, as Warwick beat their 154 target with just four balls remaining.
Fielding first after Nuneaton elected to bat after winning the toss, Warwick were subjected to an opening partnership of 61 between Felix Waters (29) and Frankie Ingram (30).
With the visitors’ confident start continuing with number three Liam Phillips (33) taking Nuneaton over the 100-run mark with Ingram, the hosts’ bowlers worked smartly to limit their opponent’s run rate.
Anil Lohan (3-40) was a key name to stand out for Warwick, ensuring the away side were kept within touching distance after finishing on 153-6.
While the loss of Adam Southorn (0) from the second delivery of the second innings was not the way the hosts wanted to go about their business, a second-wicket partnership of 51 between opener Rohit Bagri (12) and skipper James Sood (23) helped resurrect Warwick’s charge
A middle-order collapse followed to suggest that Nuneaton were on course to deal an opening-day blow to the hosts, who were clearly struggling at 90-7.
However, with the emergence of the unbeaten Rajinder Singh Bhatti (49 no), who came to the fore to drag his side through the mire, hope sprang eternal for Warwick once again.
In a tense finale, it was the number seven’s runs which proved crucial in deciding the game, striking six balls into the boundary and one maximum score to win the day.
Warwick’s Sunday first XI head to Bromsgrove next, while the club’s first string resume life in Warwickshire County Division Four at home to Leamington Khalsa – hoping to continue their unbeaten start.
IN DIVISION Three, Kenilworth stormed to a nine-wicket win over Corley to get their season up and running.
After taking the decision to field first at Warwick Road, the hosts’ bowlers were in fine form to limit Corley, with only four batsmen in Warick Falconer (27), Faiz Khan (25), Tom Parker (19) and Matty Blowers (11) reaching double figures.
With the trio of Darius Potten-Ravenshad, Will Machin and Daniel Roden all taking a couple of wickets for their efforts, the visitors were bowled out for 111 runs in the 33rd over, giving Kenilworth more than enough incentive to grab a quickfire victory.
And so it proved, as opening duo Dan Horner (48 no) and Adam Huxford (49) smashed 100 runs before the latter was run out by Aaron Unarket.
Picking up the pieces, number three Henry Curran (3 no) helped played his part in getting his side over the line in the 29th over.
Kenilworth’s Sunday XI will visit Coombs Wood next, while the club’s first team welcome Handsworth in Warwickshire County Division One, hoping to pick up a first win at the fifth attempt.
