COVENTRY & North Warwickshire eased to a six-wicket win over Rugby in the Warwickshire County Cricket League Premier Division, after a stunning showing of bowling in the first innings.
George Neal (3-20) and Manbir Johal (3-38) were clinical with the ball in hand, while Harry Horsley took a brace and Greg Ricketts and Vaibhav Panwar took a wicket each – bowling Rugby out for 119 after just 37 overs.
William Iles hit a top-score of 65, to help guide his side to victory, sending Coventry up to fourth in the table.
The Rugby wickets fell at regular intervals thanks to the efficiency of the bowlers, with Jonathan Sage’s unbeaten 26 the only highlight for the hosts after winning the toss and batting first.
Coventry initially started their innings poorly, losing opener Johal after two balls faced, while his fellow opening batting partner Taran Toor went at 20-2.
But a partnership of 86 from Iles and Vikram Sodhi (32) helped take their side to within touching distance of victory, before Vaibhav Panwar (15) helped his side over the line to a 122-4 total.
They next host Sutton Coldfield on Saturday (12 noon).
Meanwhile, the club’s second string are second in Division 3, following a similarly straightforward task away to Pickwick Post & Mail, in which Coventry won by eight wickets.
The host won the toss and batted first, but had no answer to the form of bowlers Steve Swaffield (3-26) and Toby Palmer (3-36), who helped Coventry skittle out Pickwick for 128 in the 44th over.
Shubhayan Chandra hit an unbeaten 74, whilst Palmer added 32 before being bowled out, to see Coventry & North Warwickshire home in 26 overs.
Their next task is a visit to Harborne Seconds – who are in mixed form and are seventh in the league – on Saturday (12:30pm).
