Leamington bow out of top flight after Berkswell defeat

Visiting captain David Bailey won the toss and elected to bat first with the team needing to pick up maximum points from the remaining two matches to stand any chance of staying up.

Leamington got off to a steady start with openers Tom Lewis and Alex Phillips (13) taking the score to 22 before Phillips was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Tom Milnes.

Milnes, who last week was part of Warwickshire’s County Championship-winning team then had Jason Young caught to leave Leamington 31 for two.

Lewis and David Bailey then set about building a defendable total as the pair put on 49 for the third wicket before Lewis was lbw off the bowling of Khan for 34.

Leamington’s middle and lower order found the going tough against Milnes and Khan on a slow wicket and were quickly reduced to 119 for five.

With Bailey at the crease Leamington were hopeful of reaching a target of around 200 but when he was caught behind for an excellent 60, the innings soon subsided, with the inexperienced lower order unable to handle overseas pro Ed Rainsford as he returned excellent figures of four for 26 off 12 overs.

Milnes also picked up three wickets, while there were two for the excellent Khan as Leamington slumped to 155 all out.

Leamington made runs hard to come by for the Berkswell batting line-up as Paul Rowe (2-37) removed Cornick (23) and Cheslin (8) to leave the hosts on 55 for two.

Neale (30) soon followed lbw to 16-year-old debutant Paul Lawrence (2-16), who bowled an excellent spell in the middle overs to also claim the scalp of Milnes (23).

However, Berkswell captain and former Warwickshire professional Dominic Ostler took his side to within two runs of victory before being caught for 47 off Will Field.

Four wickets and 40 runs from Wayne Killian helped Leamington 2nds to a 35-run success over Bridgnorth 2nds.

Killian’s four for 34 ripped the heart out of the Bridgnorth middle order as they were dismissed for 138 in reply to Leamington’s 173 for nine.

Killian had earlier top-scored for Leamington, with Jack Bewick chipping in with 30.

n Leamington under-16s claimed a comprehensive win over Shifnal in the Lords Taverners Trophy.

Leamington made a patient start, adding 49 for the first wicket before Jack Bewick was dismissed for 25.

Josh Boorman anchored the innings, making 50 before becoming one of four victims for Shifnal’s Brammer.

Josh Emery provided the middle-order impetus with a bright 32, while an undefeated 36 from Will Field took Leamington to a challenging 194 for seven.

Shifnal were soon behind the clock as Field and Joe Jones bowled testing spells.

New recruit and Belgian under- 19 international, AJ Gothoskar claimed three victims in a probing spell, while Matt Davison bowled full and straight to pick up three scalps as Leamington secured an 81-run success.

Leamington now need to beat Water Orton at home on Sunday to qualify for Finals Day at Harborne on September 23.