CRICKET: BABLAKE Old Boys won their hotly contested inter-Coventry Warwickshire League Premier Division game against Standard CC on Saturday, earning the winning runs in the final over.
Despite a heavy downpour the night before, the wicket and outfield dried well.
Standard won the toss and elected to bat first.
Openers Ryan Leybourne and Liam Windridge put on just 16 runs for the opening wicket before Leybourne was bowled by Sam Eames.
Andy Jones arrived at the crease and helped guide Standard to their end total by hitting an impressive half century – though he departed just a run after raising his bat while the score stood at 121/4.
He received support from Thomas Alcock (29) while middle order batsman Jason Fox fell five runs short of a half century.
Old Boys bowler Jason Pyott ripped through the tail end as Bablake managed to restrict Standard to just 196 from 49.2 overs.
In reply, Bablake Old Boys made a poor start when Mark Earnes was judged to be out lbw for a duck – leaving the home side on 9/1.
Joshua Manning and Luke De Souza then paired up to guide Bablake past 50.
De Souza was then caught by Alcock for 38 to leave Bablake at 59/2.
Joshua Manning and Jason Pyott then added 33 for the third wicket before Manning was trapped lbw by Ben O’Hara.
Several Bablake players – including Pyott, Ali and Arnold then went passed double figures before frustratingly losing their wicket.
With the game edging in Standard’s favour, an eighth wicket stand of 19 helped get Bablake back in contention of the win.
But when Ross Arnold was run out Bablake required a further 44 runs with just two wickets in hand.
Tailenders McCallum and Cowley secured the winning runs in the final over though as Bablake wrapped up the 24 points.
