Resolute Stenning digs in to stave off defeat for gritty Wardens

The visitors won the toss in perfect batting conditions at Glasshouse Park and, after a quiet start against Wardens’ new-ball bowlers Jason Young and Rajan Bhatti, lost Nathan Newport to an aerial drive off the bowling of Young.

However, this would be a rare taste of success for the home side as Tom Burton joined William Baker and the pair proceeded to amass a 115-run second-wicket partnership before Baker was finally dismissed for 79.

Edward Pollock added a swift 39 and, when Burton was removed by Mark Pidgeon for a superb 132 from just 120 balls, the score had already reached 270 for four.

A bullish batting performance by his side meant Warwickshire star Sam Hain played no more than a bit part, finishing unbeaten on 14 as they declared in the 50th over on 293 for five.

Mark Pidgeon was the pick of the Wardens bowlers with figures of two for 54 from 13 overs.

Wardens’ reply started solidly, with captain Keith Bell and Nick Seager sharing an opening stand of 80, but with both openers dismissed in quick succession for 45 and 38 respectively, the home side found themselves in trouble and soon collapsed to 121 for five.

Stenning, however, displayed typical determination and was joined at the crease by Udit Talati, whose counter-attacking 36 from 24 balls reinjected impetus into the Wardens innings.

Three quick wickets again seemed to swing the balance in the visitors’ favour, but admirable resolve and some fine strokeplay from Rajan Bhatti (34 not out) helped Wardens hang on for a nervy draw as they closed on 259 for eight.

Wardens 2nd XI’s lead at the top of the Division One table narrowed after a low-scoring defeat to Coventry & North Warwickshire at Binley Road.

Having won the toss and inserted the visitors, the Coventry side made early inroads as Wardens’ top four batsmen were all dismissed for single figures as Leron Barker and Pum Purewal did the damage.

Paul Henderson (47) and Dan Phillips (18) put up a fight in the middle order, but miserly bowling and wickets at regular intervals from experienced spinner Mark Lilley (12-4-23-5) restricted the innings to 143 all out in 50 overs.

Barker finished with three for43 from 15 overs and Purewal took two for 32 in 12.

The home side’s innings began in similarly difficult fashion, Paul Henderson dismissing opener Jack Horsley early and Nick Whiting claiming the wickets of Adam Simpson and Sarfaraz Pathan in quick succession.

However, Michael Cook (47) and Steve Fairhurst (22) worked hard to set up victory and Christy Hernon (31 not out) and Elliot Bates (6 not out) finished the job as Coventry won by four wickets with six overs to spare.

3rd XI

4th XI