Amateurs slump to heavy defeat in Thursday League
THERE was much better luck with the weather this week in the Nuneaton Thursday League and with champions Atherstone having a free week, last years runners up, Bedworth set down a benchmark with a crushing win at Hinckley Amateurs.
Batting first, the visitors posted a huge total of 163-3 off 16 overs. Josh Thomas top scored with 61 supported by Joshua White with 34 and Max Page 43 not out. The Bedworth bowlers were much tighter than their counterparts and Andrew Ashby impressed with just 6 off his 3 overs taking a wicket along the way. The home side eventually managed 84-5 from their 16 overs.
Nuneaton got off to a winning start at home to Fillongley. Despite the top three all getting into the teens the visitors were bowled out for 90 with Aaron Sharp picking up three victims. 24’s from Martin Cox and Kyle Taylor made sure the home side comfortably knocked off the target for the loss of four wickets with over three overs to spare. Newcomers to the league, Barwell fell to defeat at Ambleside. Jack Smith top scored with 39 for the visitors 5-24 from Thomas Kidd kept them in check as they posted a modest 111-8. Ambleside got off to a flying start and Matty Alton smashed 46 from 27 balls. Curtis Higgins kept Barwell in the game with 3-9 but it was all in vain as Ambleside cruised home with ten balls and 6 wickets in hand.
In Division 2, all three home sides notched up victories. The Adders overcame Stockingford Haunchwood. 22 from Warren Percival was the highlight of the visitors innings with 3 wickets for Liam Lycett and 2 for Leagues President Vic Clement and James Wallback kept the total to 81-8. Despite losing a couple of early wickets, The Clements brothers, Adam, 24no, and Matt 41no saw the Adders to the win with plenty of overs to spare.
In a high scoring game at Bedworth, Attleborough looked to be well in with a chance of a second win posting 134-3 off their 16 overs. Gary Thompson top scored with 66. The home side were always well up with the rate though in the chase and 30 plus scores from Darren Scorey, Omar Bahar and Ryan Oldham helped them reach the target with 8 wickets and 17 balls to spare. Newly promoted Twycross found their step up difficult at relegated Bulkington. 4-7 from Craig Noon and 3-2 off 4 overs from Sam Gisbourne pegged them back to just 43-9 off 16 overs. Only 7.2 overs were needed by the home side for victory without losing a wicket. Tom Noon Scored 28 off them.
Division 3 returners Wolvey notched up their first win on the road at Barwell 2’s. Liam Phillips lead the way 28 out of a total of 88-5. Himanshu Batra was the pick of the bowlers for the home team with 3-26. In reply, Wolvey’s bowlers kept a tight rein with Jevon Thorpe 3 – 15 and Zak Potter 1 – 9 off their 4 overs each impressing. Barwell finished 13 short for the loss of 6 wickets. Nuneaton 2’s also won on the road at Newdigate. Giles Clements top scored with 31 in a total of 98 -6 that was also top upped by 27 extras. Again the bowlers were frugal son of Giles, Harry, with 2-22 and Luke Austin 2-21 supported by the dangerous Lovick brothers saw the home side fall 18 short for the loss of 6. The only home winners were Collycroft at Pauls Land against Hinckley Amateurs 2’s. Iain Kinnis carried his bat for the visitors scoring 36 out of a total of 80-5 Despite a couple of early wickets for Jamie Harris-Ensor, ‘croft reached their target with three balls to spare for the loss of five.
Weather permitting this Thursday see’s the first round of the prestigious Tommy Hilditch Cup. The pick of the ties is an all-Nuneaton affair between their 1st and 2nd teams.