1st. XI v. Water Orton
LOSING DRAW
The Firsts travelled to Water Orton for their latest Division 1 Warwickshire County Cricket League match. The match had great importance for both sides with both in the bottom three in the Division and trying to escape the drop. Water Orton had the better of the drawn match.
Batting first, Water Orton posted 243-9 declaring their innings in the 45th over. Prabhu hit 73 for the hosts and he was well backed up by Crouch who made 60 and Roscola 35 despite the Town bowlers putting in solid spells with Joe Atkinson taking 3-31 from 10 overs and Charles Lamprecht 2-17 off his 6 overs burst the side’s top performers. Steve Rhodes took 2-70 from his 12 overs whilst Charlie Stranks with 1-25 removed the obdurate Prabhu. Tom Booker was in good form behind the sticks as he took 2 catches and a stumping whilst there were outfield catches for Stranks, Sunny Ahmed and Connor Shingler.
In reply, in a rain affected innings, Kenilworth had 43 overs to face. The side initially stuttered and found themselves at 14-2 losing both openers inside 6 overs. However, Shingler and Lamprecht then posted a 51 run partnership for the third wicket before the latter fell for 32 after hitting 5 boundaries. With the score on 65-3, skipper Pete Magafas joined Shingler and the pair went on to hit 73 runs in their 4th. wicket partnership in 15 overs together as the side reached 138-4 in 28 overs. Shingler made 42, hitting 5 boundaries whilst Magafas went onto make 47 that included 1 x 6 and 6 x 4’s. Four wickets then fell for 33 runs with side in a bit of trouble at 171-8 with 9 overs of the match remaining. However, Dan Horner with 19 not out and Stranks 7 not out crucially held firm in their unbroken 21 run partnership to see the side to 192-8 and to safety, to avoid defeat. The side collecting 11 crucial points.
For Water Orton, wickets were shared around with Roscola 3-37 and Crouch 2-32 the most successful.
Two matches remain of the League programme that sees Kenilworth staying in 10th spot on 168 points, 18 points ahead of both King’s Heath and Water Orton who hold 11th. and 12th. spots respectfully, both on 150 points to remain in the relegation zone. So it, will be any two from three of these sides who will be relegated into Division 2 for next season. It’s going to be a tight finish with a maximum of 48 points available in the remaining games for all three sides.
Kenilworth also play King’s Heath at home in the last game of season on 14th. September which is likely to determine who survives the drop. Next week, Kenilworth travel to 5th placed Four Oaks Saints in their penultimate League match and will be looking for a good performance to give them some breathing space and increase their survival chances. King’s Heath play 2nd placed Solihull Blossomfield who are 6 points behind the Divisional leaders next weekend and then ourselves. Whilst Water Orton play 4th placed Hampton & Solihull next week and then current 6th. placed Bablake Old Boys in their final League match of the season.
Water Orton 243 for 9 Dec (45.0 overs) (17 points) drew with Kenilworth 192 for 8 (43.0 overs) (11 points)
The current WCCL Tables can be found by clicking onto the below link:
https://www.warcricket.org/wcl2018/tables.php
