CRICKET: STANDARD remained mid-table in the Warwickshire Premier Division Cricket League despite suffering an 18 run loss against Rugby on Saturday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Rugby’s innings was plagued by efforts that couldn’t quite materialise into big hitting scores as No.7 Steve Ward top scored with 31*.
Openers Asaad Qureshi (13) and Raj Chohan (10) made a steady start to the home side’s innings while Jack Rosser added 23 to the cause.
But clever bowling from Thomas Kidd saw the Standard man take five wickets for just 34 runs from 12 overs.
Kidd’s accuracy restricted Rugby’s options when looking to score runs as Matthew Ewer (0) was caught of the bowling of Steve Vaughan – Vaughan later picking up the wicket of Henry Wilkins (13).
Kidd then trapped Henry Parker lbw for a duck while Vishaal Rathod also walked back to the pavilion scoreless after being caught behind by Bradley Curtis.
Tailender Lee Golding managed to reach double figures, but it did little to help Rugby slump to 125 all out from 32 overs.
Standard made a disastrious start in reply as openers Ryan Leybourne (0) and Thomas Kidd (1) fell cheaply.
Andy Jones and Steve Vaughan attempted to steady Standard’s ship with knocks of 21 and 14, but Standard found themselves in a similar position to the hosts as batsmen failed to advance when reaching double figures.
Only Robert Jones (19) could go beyond 18 runs as Rugby’s Matthew Ewer starred with the ball – taking five wickets from 11 overs for just 26 runs.
Henry Wilkins also proved costly to Standard’s run chasing efforts by taking three wickets at the end for 42 runs.
Number 11 Jamie O’Hara hit 11 runs to give Standard a glimmer of hope, but Rugby ran out eventual winners as Standard could only manage 107 all out.
Rugby’s efforts ensured they reached the 200 point mark, though they remain in fourth in the Warwickshire Premier Division table.
Solihull Municipal lead the league on 224 points, joint with Bedworth.
Olton are currently placed third on 208 points before Rugby are – arguably – the only other team in with a chance of challenging for the title this season.
Mid-table teams include Barby, Standard, and Aston Manor.
While Bablake, Hampton & Solihull, Coleshill, Highway, and Studley look set to battle relegation.
