1st. XI v. Solihull Blossomfield
LOSE
On Saturday 18th May, Kenilworth hosted Solihull Blossomfield for their latest Warwickshire County Cricket Division One fixture and fell short.
After being asked to bat first, Kenilworth openers, Pete Magafas and Muhammed Fahim raced to 24 in the first four overs but lost Fahim for 7 in the fifth over, lbw to Sattherswaite, 25 for 1. Skipper Magafas was joined by Chris Prophet, the pair put on a decent 35, and at 60 for 1, the side looked we’ll set, but Prophet was caught off Sattherswaite for 15, then Magafas was bowled by Jinnah for 37, Kenilworth now 82 for 3. Connor Shingler and Sunny Ahmed then had the task of rebuilding their sides innings, but Shingler was caught and bowled by Kenny for 12, 104 for 4. When Tom Booker as run out for 11, the home side were in a spot of bother on 128 for 5. Joe Atkinson joined Ahmed, the pair made a solid stand together, putting on 46 for the sixth wicket, when Ahmed was caught off Kenny for 36, now 174 for 6. Muhammed Naeem fell cheaply for 6, but Atkinson and Steve Rhodes saw their side past 200, Atkinson ending 36 not out and Rhodes 13 not out, Kenilworth end their innings on 207 for 7 from their fifty overs. For Blossomfield, Kenny was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 50 from 12 overs.
Blossomfield made a terrible start in their reply, losing Salmons in the first over for no score, bowled by Joey Poole, the visitors 0 for 1. Next man in Baker counter attacked, but he was bowled by Sunny Ahmed for 34, Blossomfield 40 for 2, this became 52 for 3 when Erica’s was caught by Tom Booker behind off Steve Rhodes for 18. When Morgan fell the same way, caught Booker off Rhodes, the visitors were in trouble on 56 for 4. However, Weaver joined Kenny at the crease, together they started to get their side back into the game, the pair had put on 53 together, when Kenny was caught by Naeem off Muhammed Fahim for 27, the visitors now 109 for 5, with the game in the balance.
Khan joined Weaver and once again a stand was to frustrate the home side, when Khan was caught by Steve Rhodes off Connor Shingler for 20 , the visitors were 150 for 6, a lot depended on Weaver, if Kenilworth could remove him, they would have a decent chance of victory. Weaver though, along with new batsmen Bashir, steadied any wobbles with another stand, one that was to prove decisive, and in the 39th over, these two saw their side home, Weaver with a match winning 74 not out and Bashir with 21 not out, proving decisive. Blossomfield finishing on 208 for 6, to win by four wickets. For Kenilworth, there were wickets for Steve Rhodes with 2 for 25 off five overs, Sunny Ahmed with 1 for 13 off six, Joey Poole 1 for 23 off three, Muhammed Fahim with 1 for 37 off ten and Connor Shingler with 1 for 54 off seven overs.
Two wins and three defeats from the first five games played so far leaves the side in a creditable 8th. place out of 12 teams in what is a very strong and competitive Division.
Kenilworth 207-8 (50 overs) (6 pts) Solihull Blossomfield 208-6 (39.4 overs) (20 pts).
