Warwick 3 Kenilworth 0
The 2021 cricket season got underway on Saturday 10th. April 2021 with three friendly matches against neighbours, Warwick, who had a hat trick of victories on a bitterly cold day with the icy wind blowing across all three Grounds, as players dusted down their winter cobwebs and tried to keep warm! Sadly, due to Government restrictions and ECB instructions, no spectators were allowed to attend any matches, nor were the Clubhouses open. Despite the results, it was still good to see that cricket is now back.
1st XI v. Warwick – 45 overs – LOST
Kenilworth 190-9 lost to by 6 wickets – Warwick 191-4
The 1st. XI posted 188-9 in their 45 overs thanks to knocks of 38 from Tom Booker and 35 from skipper Connor Shingler, whilst Adam Huxford chipped in with 19, Matt Casey 18 with Dan Horner adding 13 and Stuart Cope 12. Loham proved the most successful bowler taking a good 4-41 from his 9 overs for the visitors with Spenser claiming a brace – 2-34 whilst there was a wicket apiece for Bhatti, Evans and Southport.
In reply, Sood was the outstanding performer for Warwick as he hit a sublime unbeaten 90 as he and Bhatti who made an unbeaten 51 guided the side to a comfortable victory with several overs to spare as they formed a solid partnership together. Earlier, Southorn had made 15. Kenilworth wicket takers were Steve Rhodes, Joe Atkinson, Matt Casey and Shingler who each to a wicket each.
2nd XI v. Warwick – 40 overs – LOST
Kenilworth 128-10 lost by 44 runs – Warwick 172-5
Warwick proved too strong for the Kenilworth 2’s as they bowled the side out for 128 after Dave Smithson had made a good 37 before a mix up saw him run out. Jack Howard made 21 and captain Leach an unbeaten 22* the only scores of note in the side’s total. Patterson took a fine 3-7 for Warwick, whilst Sharma claimed 2-20 with Jackson, Rudnicski, Hare and Hope taking a wicket a piece. Earlier, Warwick posted 172 thanks to Passa to as he made a fine unbeaten 74 and was deservedly batsman of the cold day. Bagai posted 20 whilst Sharma had earlier made 14 and Hare 13 in the side’s win. Tom Skinner took 2-14 for Kenilworth with Pat Howard, Sam Leach and Dan Roden picking up a wicket each to start their season’s off.
3rd. XI v. Warwick – 40 overs – LOST
Warwick 200-6 beat Kenilworth 150-10 by 50 runs
The 3’s faired no better as Warwick claimed the clean sweep over their neighbours. Warwick posted 200-6 as opener Davis remained at the crease throughout the innings to post an unbeaten 76. Papworth added 26 not out after O’Sullivan had posted 13 and Webb 10, the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Their innings was bolstered by 67 extras which were to cost the Kenilworth side dear. Matt Dadswell took 2-26 and James Sparks 2-46 whilst Christian Mortlock and Dave Gamble took the other wickets to fall. The 3’s could only reach 150 in reply before been bowled out with 2 and a bit overs of the match left. Danny Boneham was the Town batsmen on form as he made 31. Matt Dadswell made 20, outscoring Andy Dadswell (18) before he fell, whilst James Adamson posted 16 and Gamble 13. Warwick used 8 bowlers with Seymour taking 3-35, Rhodes 2-9, Hedderman 2-19, Cale 2-27 with O’Sullivan taking the other wicket to fall.
Despite the results it was a good run out for all 3 sides before the League season starts for the 1st XI and 2nd XI next week.
The 1st. XI are away in Division 1 of the Warwickshire County Cricket League at Solihull Blossomfield with a 12.30 p.m. start whilst the 2’s entertain Bablake at our Warwick Road Ground with a 12.30 p.m. start in their Division 7 East encounter in the Warwickshire County Cricket League.