OWEN Edwards recorded a half-century in vain as Rugby CC slipped to a narrow 12-run defeat against Olton and West Warwickshire.
Rugby captain Edwards kept the home side’s innings together only for Olton to bowl the hosts out for 172 in 48.2 overs at Webb Ellis Road.
That came after Olton posted 184-7 from their 50 overs with Rugby just unable to chase down the required total.
The result means Rugby sit fifth in the Warwickshire County League Premier Division table.
Olton won the toss and elected to bat only for Noah Massey (3-44) to account for opener Inderpal Singh Nandra (0) who departed for a three-ball duck.
And Daanyal Sadiq (1-27) then trapped Eddie Hulbert (11) LBW before Mohammed Talukder (52) and Dave Ball (36) produced a solid third-wicket stand.
Tyrese Karelse (2-31) broke up the partnership with the wicket of ball as Roheel Qamer (17) combined well with Talukder at the crease.
Advay Pophali (1-18) bowled Qamer while Karelse returned to remove Talukder after the latter made a half-ton in 139 deliveries.
Useful runs from Harvey Rogers-Collen (19) and Kieron Buchanan (14 not out) boosted Olton’s total despite late wickets for Massey.
In reply, Rugby lost opener Jeevan Barhey (16) to the bowling of George Rees (1-28) before Pophali (26) and Danny De Souza (17) formed a solid second-wicket partnership.
However, Alex Bishop ran out Pophali while Nandra (3-25) removed Karelse (5) and Rogers-Collen (1-41) had De Souza stumped as Rugby slipped to 74-4.
Edwards (60) scored well with the ball en route to a half century in a 68-ball innings but only Suhas Thyagaraj (19) and Harry Gedye (16) managed double figures of Rugby’s remaining batters.
Skipper Edwards remained at the crease until the penultimate over before Nandra bowled Rugby’s top run scorer with the hosts all out for 172.
Rugby are next in action against Streetly on Saturday, July 11 with play to begin at 12pm(midday) at Streetly Sports Club.
