WES Landsdale’s superb century helped Rugby Cricket Club’s first team to an 83-run victory against Olton and West Warwicks.
Landsdale hit 102 runs from just 114 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes, whilst number nine Danny Sadiq chipped in with a superb half-century as Rugby were eventually all out for 228.
In reply, Divan Posthumus (5-40) showed his class with a five-for whilst Lee Golding (3-26) removed all of Olton’s top order as the visitors were bowled out for 145 in 34.2 overs.
The result means Rugby sit 10th in the Warwickshire County League Premier Division table, well clear of the teams in the relegation places.
Rugby won the toss and elected to bat only to make a shaky start to their innings as openers Matt Ewer (11) and Kasir Shah (6) both fell cheaply.
However, Landsdale’s arrival at the crease allowed Rugby to recover as he put on a 32-run third-wicket partnership with Owen Edwards (14).
Despite Landsdale’s best efforts, Rugby slumped to 102-7 as four batters were unable to reach double figures.
However, a stunning 115-run eighth-wicket stand between Landsdale and Sadiq put Rugby back in contention as the latter fell, having hit a maiden senior half-century, with the home side on 217-8.
The final two wickets followed soon after as Rugby were all out for 228 in 49.5 overs with Harvey Rogers-Collen (3-31) doing the most damage with the ball.
Rugby looked to be in trouble during the early stages of Olton’s reply as the visitors reached 86 without loss thanks to the efforts of openers Adam Hussain (34) and Junead Zaman (46).
However, Golding (3-26) took a trio of wickets to remove Olton’s top order as some vintage bowling greatly improved Rugby’s chances.
Only Will Elvidge (28) managed to score double figures from Olton’s remaining eight batters as Posthumus dismissed all of the visitors lower order.
That came after Sadiq (1-32) took the crucial wicket of Elvidge whilst Shah (1-18) also claimed a scalp as Olton lost all 10 wickets for the addition of just 59 runs.
Elsewhere, Rugby’s second XI battled to a four-wicket win against local rivals Oakfield and Rowland United.
Despite losing the toss, Rugby’s Suj Barhey (3-45) took three early wickers to restrict Oakfield to 39-3 which included striking with just the third ball of the match.
And further scalps for Kurran Barhey (1-22) and Ash Cutts (1-53) left Oakfield in serious trouble on 82-5 as the former accounted for stubborn opener Richard Burnett (22).
Oakfield eventually played their way into the game as Nick Dowling (66) top scored whilst Liam Denipitiya (28) chipped in with a useful score as the pair put on a 64-run sixth-wicket partnership.
However, a flurry of wickets halted Oakfield’s momentum as Mo Obaid (2-17) and Darshan Desai (1-17) left the visitors on 168-8.
Experienced duo Jamie Brightwell (54 not out) and David Odwell (19 not out) combined for an unbroken 84-run partnership at the tail end of Oakfield’s innings who finished on 252-8.
In reply, Rugby made a steady start courtesy of Desai (23) before single figure scores from Jon Sage and Obaid put Oakfield on top.
However, Charlie Robards (55) and James Nuttall (87 not out) both scored half-centuries in a terrific fourth-wicket stand as the pair added 88 runs before the former was eventually dismissed.
Nuttall’s quickfire 55 came off just 39 deliveries as Rob Stipanovic (26) and K Barhey (28 not out) both supported Nuttall to help Rugby to a four-wicket win in 43.1 overs.
The victory means Rugby remain fifth in the Warwickshire County League Division Four table.
And Rugby’s third XI maintained their strong start to the season with an eight-wicket win at Wilnecote thanks to the efforts of young seamer Theo Nelson who claimed a five-for.
A superb opening spell from Nelson (5-22) saw him remove the top order and reduce Wilnecote to 23-3.
And captain Liam Slaughter (2-51) then took two wickets to leabe the home side 92-5 after Sam Godderidge (28) showed some resistance.
However, Nelson returned for a second spell to mop up Wilnecote’s tail as Rubans and Saj Rizvi claimed a wicket apiece.
Chasing 159 for victory, Rugby’s reply began well as Shreyas Honnalli (19) and Keval Rathod added 40 runs for the first wicket.
Rathod (78) then combined with Liam Hebblewhite (31 not out) for a 108-run partnership as Rizvi (12 not out) saw Rugby ease home in just 29 overs.
The result means Rugby sit fourth in the Warwickshire County League Division Seven East table.
Lastly, the club’s 4th XI secured an 89-run win against Attleborough to remain top of the table.
Ram Kumar Singh (75) top scored for Rugby, adding 84 runs with fellow opener Advay Pophali (30) after Rugby won the toss chose to bat first.
They racked up a mammoth 307 all out, with contributions from Jag Barhey (55), Alan Wade (36), Tarun Ahuja (35) and Kiran Clark (22).
Attleborough put up a good fight in response with Chris Barker (53) top scoring, but were bowled out for 218, well short of the required total.
Youngsters Pophali (3-11), Adithya Ashok Prakash (2-28) and Reece Jones (2-17) were the pick of the Rugby bowlers, whilst Adam Milsom, Clark and Shreyas Sakkurti took a wicket apiece.
