A MAXIMUM-POINTS victory over Rugby, won in the final ball of the game, has kept alive Coventry & North Warwickshire’s late push for the Warwickshire County League Premier Division title.
The three-wicket win was in no small part to a four-for by George Neal (4-30), limiting the visitors to a 171-9 score, which was then beaten in the final ball of the 45th over.
Opening with a stand of 41 through Lee James (21) and Jeevan Barhey (10), Rugby lost three quickfire wickets, before recovering somewhat through a seventh-wicket partnership of 79 between Michael Hughes (20) and Henry Parker (53no).
Rugby edged their way to a solid final score, one which looked unlikely at one stage, to present Coventry with a challenge as they headed into the crease.
In reply, Coventry lost opener Manbir Johal (0) from the opening ball, before Taran Toor (25) and William Iles’ (47) stand of 59 got the hosts up and running.
Vikram Sodhi (31) provided useful support to Iles before the latter’s dismissal, while the duo of Jack (11) and Harry Horsley (27no) helped keep Coventry on track to reach the target set.
Greg Ricketts (17no) was the man to step up and earn victory, coming in at number nine, to earn the remaining runs needed.
Going into the final over with seven runs required, a wide by Rugby bowler Vishaal Rathod proved crucial, as Ricketts claimed the sole run required from the additional ball to win the game.
Coventry look to make it five wins in a row when visiting sixth-placed Sutton Coldfield on Saturday (noon).