OWEN Edwards led the way with a half-century to ensure Rugby edged out Sutton Coldfield by three wickets in a thrilling encounter at Webb Ellis Road.
Taking maximum points on their return to action, a week after their abandoned fixture at Solihull Municipal, the hosts remain sitting pretty in sixth ahead of the penultimate weekend of the Warwickshire League Premier Division.
And a big part of that success, which puts Matthew Ewer’s men in good stead for a trip to eighth-placed Bablake on Saturday, was a big batting effort from the home side – inspired by Edwards (54, lbw), the unbeaten Michael Powell (45, no) and the aforementioned Rugby skipper (38).
Before the hosts could show off their prowess at the crease, Sutton Coldfield batted first and opened with 64 between openers Anil Kumar (34, lbw) and Tom Eustace (37) – both of whom were dismissed by Lee Golding (3-35).
The visitors’ run chase slowed after the loss of their leading men, though the emergence of skipper Jack Smith (42) at number five was a problem eventually dealt with by Wes Landsdale (3-27).
Sutton Coldfield did finish strongly through tailenders Jack Reidy (29, no) and Shailan Srikanthan (26, no) to finish on 195-9.
While Harry Williams-Lucas (3-28) proved a constant threat to the Rugby batsmen, the hosts batted admirably and notably impressed when Edwards and Powell combined for a 54-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
That crucial moment in the innings helped veer Rugby onto the path to victory, something which they secured when Powell smashed a six to win the game with an over to spare.
