Rugby involved in four-way battle to secure County Premier Division title - The Rugby Observer

Rugby involved in four-way battle to secure County Premier Division title

Rugby Editorial 17th Aug, 2017   0

CRICKET: RUGBY maintained their position in the top four of the Warwickshire Cricket League Premier Division with a comfortable five wicket win against Coleshill.

Rugby are now involved in one of the closest battles for the Premier Division title in recent years, with Olton, Bedworth, Solihull Municipal, and themselves all separated by just four league points.

Knowing points were needed against struggling Coleshill, Rugby won the toss and elected to bowl first – a decision which proved fruitful towards the end of the innings.

Wajid Hussain and Muhammed Fahim put on 34 for the first wicket as both displayed signs of patience with the bat, determined to see their side through their allotted overs.




But when Fahim fell, Hussian was out shortly afterwards – and Coleshill slipped from 34/0 to 40/2.

Wicketkeeper – and handy batsman – Zaheer Khan Sherwani could only add two more runs as Coleshill lost two more quick wickets to reduce them to 49/2.


Sajid Kapadia chipped in with a patient effort of 34 from 67 balls.

But he lacked support as the middle order batsmen – Nos 5, 6, and 7 – made just 15 runs between them.

Owen Edwards starred with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul for just 13 runs as Coleshill slumped to a miserable 108 all out – the final five batsmen making just ten runs between them.

Rugby started their innings with caution on a bowling surface.

Openers Asaad Qureshi (2) and Raj Chohan (2) both fell cheaply while No.3 Stuart Lloyd could only manage 7.

At 44/3 the innings looked shaky, however the reliable Jeevan Barhey arrived at the crease to hit an unbeaten knock of 49 to guide Rugby to a crucial victory.

Star bowler Owen Edwards was forgiven for his duck as Henry Wilkins (18) and Steve Ward (17*) provided the last runs needed.

Rugby earned 20 points from the win.

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