Rugby smash their way to opening win; Willoughby impress in final warm-up - The Rugby Observer

Rugby smash their way to opening win; Willoughby impress in final warm-up

Rugby Editorial 4th May, 2021   0

A MAXIMUM-POINTS victory over Barby (Northants) was just the tonic Rugby needed to give their Warwickshire County Premier Division campaign lift-off last weekend.

The 55-run win was the Webb Ellis Road outfit’s first of the season, on an afternoon when Rugby put their batting woes behind them to record a first innings score of 170-9 before skittling out the hosts for 115 runs in the 42nd over.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Rugby initially slipped to 35-2 after the early departures of openers Jeevan Barhey and Raj Chohan (both 13), but found a foothold through Charlie Robards (48) and Owen Edwards (33).

The duo struck up a partnership of 57 before the latter’s departure for the third wicket, though the visitors continued to steadily pile on the runs to record their best run total so far this term.




Dineth Thimodya (5-38) was on form for the visitors throughout, and looked to breathe some life into Barby’s reply with his side struggling at 22-4, top-scoring with 47 to inspire some hopes of a victory.

However, with Lee Golding (3-32) and Ewer (3-25) both impressive in working their way through the home side’s top and lower order respectively, victory always looked assured come the fall of the final wicket with 23 balls remaining.


A tough task will await on Saturday however, when Rugby play host to high-fliers Coventry & North Warwickshire – who have racked up three wins from three so far.


WILLLOUGHBY warmed up for Saturday’s Northamptonshire League Division Six opener at Rothwell Town with a dominant ten-wicket win over Towncestrians.

Dismissing the visitors for just 125 inside 28 overs, the hosts’ Ben Hollis (3-17) was in particularly fine form, while Dan Farrow and Jake Quinney also took a couple of wickets apiece.

And the reply to match was just as impressive, unbeaten openers Chaitanya (65 n.o) and Scott Cluley (34 n.o) firing their way to victory – with the help of 28 extras – in just 114 balls.

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