RUGBY’s indifferent form continued on Saturday after they were forced to settle for losing draw for the second week running after the bowler’s leaked another big total at home to Kenilworth in the Warwickshire League Premier Division.
The Webb Ellis Roaders had started the season in fine form and were second in the table after four matches.
But three poor results in as many weeks has seen them drop to sixth and their title ambitions are on shaky ground.
The visitors were rooted at the foot of the table at the start of the match but did not play like a side struggling for form with openers Dave Edmunds (35) and James Nason (53) putting Kenilworth in good stead.
The highlight of the innings came from Tom Brooker who scored 78 and made a stand of 132 alongside Nason as Kenilworth rattled up their best season’s total of 284 for 3 from 50 overs.
An unbroken stand of 97 between Chris Prophet (48 not out) and Neil Goodman (52 not out) also proved to be a highlight.
Wilkins (12-1-33-1) was the pick of Rugby’s attack and Owen Edwards (9-4-21-0) was the only other bowler to go at less than six-an-over.
The hosts were left facing a daunting run chase but backed themselves to take advantage of the superb batting conditions.
Opening partners Charlie Robards (25) and Lee James (20) found the boundary with ease early on and both looked in great touch.
However they both fell softly, sparking a run of wickets that fell to poor deliveries and, as the innings unfolded, a staggering five batsmen were dismissed by full tosses.
Terry Cooper (9) and Matt Ewer (5) were two of these, while Raj Chohan (15) was highly unlucky to receive a bad lbw decision for the second week running.
The wheels had totally fallen off Rugby’s run chase and a defeat was on the cards at 126 for 7.
But an unbeaten 90 by Rugby skipper Edwards earned his side a draw as they finished on 201 for 8 form their 50 overs.
Elsewhere, A top order batting failure from Willoughby went some way to ensuring hosts Hinton-in-the-Hedges enjoyed their first win of the season in the South Northants Cricket League Division One.
Having won the toss, the decision by the visitors to bat first backfired from the outset as an early run out was the catalyst for wickets to tumble in the top order on a regular basis.
They eventually reached a below-par 125, with Danny Temple top scoring with 38.
The host’s reply started well for Willoughby with Fleming claiming a wicket with the last ball before tea.
However on the resumption Hinton stuck to their task and were aided by a couple of drops along the way as the hosts reached their target on what was a disappointing day for the visitors.
