LEADERS Walmley demonstrated their class at the John Findlay Memorial Ground, as Rugby were beaten by seven wickets in their Warwickshire Country Cricket League Premier Division clash.
An unbeaten haul of 85 from the host’s Daniel Bromley helped beat Rugby’s 192-9 total in the 43rd over, who top-scored through Owen Edwards’ contribution of 46.
Rugby opened their innings slowly, losing Henry Wilkins (1) at 10-1, but soon got up to speed through a second-wicket partnership of 64 between Lee James (37) and Jeevan Barhey (37).
The latter was gone at 95-3, which prompted a middle order collapse, with Michael Hughes (4), Matthew Ewer (2) and Henry Parker (1) being dismissed cheaply.
Edwards was then dismissed at 140-7 when caught by Jamie Hall from a Jonathan Newis (2-25) delivery, although George Terry (32) and Vishaal Rathod (21no) laid on 52 before the eighth wicket.
After Terry was stumped by Daniel Bevan, Lee Golding (0) was dismissed with the final ball – the only delivery that Golding faced – as Rugby concluded their innings.
Mohammed Sheikh (24) and Bromley put on an opening partnership of 56, prior to the former’s dismissal for lbw. while Roshan Balaji Sumathi Venkataraman (1) was caught by Michael Hughes from Ewer’s delivery to follow soon after at 64-2.
Bromley came into his element, scoring 14 fours in all to take Walmley within touching distance of victory alongside Sarmad Bhatti (51).
Even when Golding managed to bowl Bhatti at 188-3, the verdict of the match was moments away from being decided, with Daniel Bevan (4) coming in at number five to help seal the win.
Rugby go in search of a response on Saturday (noon), when visiting ninth-placed Sutton Coldfield.
