CRICKET: TITLE chasing Olton and West Warwickshire got the better of Bablake Old Boys at the weekend, who dropped to ninth following Saturday’s loss.
While Olton moved to within ten points of league leaders Solihull Municipal, Bablake dropped down the league – though they’re a clear 42 points ahead of lowly Highway Spartans.
Saturday’s game started with Bablake winning the toss and electing to field first following overnight rain.
But they soon were made to regret their decision as Olton openers Zaid Joseph (49) and Richard Weaver (41) put on 113 for the opening wicket.
Joseph was the first to fall before No.3 Marc Webb fell for a duck after just five balls to ensure Bablake took two wickets for no runs.
Weaver then fell 16 runs later before Michael Pickering could only add three runs to Olton’s total.
The visitors had collapsed from 113/0 to 138/4.
Sensing an opportunity, Bablake set about claiming their fifth wicket.
However the task was made tough when Gary Hawkins (54*) and Michael Salerno (45) steadied the innings while keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
The pair took Olton and West Warwickshire past 200 before Salerno was caught out.
Some big hitting from Philip Ceillam and Matt Bentley helped Olton reach 252/7 from their allotted 50 overs.
Bablake made a disastrious start in reply and were quickly reduced to 20/5 as Matthew Baylock (8) and Mark Eames (3) fell cheaply.
Batting at three, Joshua Manning (2) failed to steady the ship while Sam Eames (0) and Thomas Cowley (3) also fell cheaply.
A knock of 34 from Ahmed Ali helped provide some sustainability to Bablake’s innings, but in reality the game was a foregone conclusion as Olton’s opening bowler Philip Trilloe ripped through the Bablake attack – taking four wickets for 37 runs.
A star innings from Clark McCallum at No.8 helped Bablake pass 150. But he was only supported by tailender Guy Eames (23) as Bablake were eventually bowled out for 185.
