Leamington thrash Himley to move closer to Birmingham League’s top tier

Batting first, Leamington got off to a shaky start as they slumped to 20 for three against new-ball bowlers Elliot Hopkin and Jamie Turner.

However, a partnership of 123 between Tom Lewis (69) and Lee Hopkins (70) put the home side into a dominant position.

Their good work was then continued by Ollie Currill (37) and Will Field (20) as the hosts recovered to post a daunting total of 275.

Hopkin (4-86), Khan (3-51) and Turner (3-50) shared the wickets.

In reply, the Himley innings never got going against some of the best opening bowling seen at Arlington Avenue for a long time.

Ollie Currill (4-32) and Grant Thornton (4-29) ripped through the top and middle order with Currill’s dismissal of former Indian Test Star Wasim Jaffer (1) for the second time this season proving the highlight.

Will Field (2-23) maintained the pressure as Himley slumped to 100 all out.

Leamington 2nds continued their rich vein of form with a winning draw at Himley.

Batting first, Leamington’s daunting total of 277 for five declared was built around a splendid second-wicket century stand between veteran David Hawkes and the mercurial Karan Patra.

Hawkes was given an early life by Himley and meted out strong punishment as he batted through the innings to notch an undefeated 156 - the highest individual score in the Birmingham League by a Leamington player this century.

Patra’s fine supporting innings ended on 62.

Himley made a good start in reply through Nikhil Vaidya (55) and Chad Brandrick (47).

Once they were dismissed there was a tumble of wickets to give Leamington a sniff of victory.

However, Himley put up the shutters, being content to bat out for a draw as they meandered to 200 for four, with Callum Lea passing 50.

Persevering Leamington skipper Jason Butler claimed two wickets.