Nervous win as Tanworth edge out leaders
TANWORTH and Camp Hill skipper Andy Turnbull paid tribute to match-winner Dan Williams after he helped steer his side to a nervous victory at reigning Cotswold Hills League Premier champions Kineton, reports David Lawrence
Some excellent bowling from the visitors had limited the league leaders to just 157/7 from their 45 overs but it took until the final few balls before Turnbull could celebrate victory.
The Tanworth captain said: “We won an important toss and with only 160 to chase we hoped that it would be smoother than it actually was.
“We just about got there but it was a little tense for a time. We had been above the rate but then when we got to the penultimate over we were slightly behind, needing 14 off ten balls at one point. But we hit a six over mid-wicket which eased the pressure.
“Dan Williams was the star really, getting us home from 90/5. He came in at seven and although he only scored 25, he played a low-risk game with lots of ones and steered us home. A combination of Dan, Fergie (Wassell) and Tim (Keyte) ensured we didn’t mess it up.”
Overseas bowler Ben Bryant was excellent for Tanworth with his ten overs going for just 11 runs as the hosts struggled to find the spaces.
Tim Keyte took 3-42 and Tom Smith 2-40 while the only batsman to make inroads was Kineton opener George Wilcock who hit 65 before being bowled by Keyte. For the visitors, opener James Carey scored 24 and Keyte was unbeaten on 18 at the close.
Elsewhere in the top flight, there were excellent wins for Shipston and Exhall and Wixford.
Shipston were all out for 174 at home to Lapworth but that proved enough for a 56-run victory with Stefan Obermeyer taking 6-35 to secure the win.
And Exhall beat Wellesbourne by 85 runs helped by some impressive bowling figures particularly from Will Green (2-12) and Richard Layton (2-18). Rob Perry and Sam Smith also took two wickets apiece.
There was also plenty of drama at Leek Wootton who tied their match with Long Itchington.
Batting first, the visitors were dismissed for 188 in the 44th over with wicket-keeper Jack Collyer leading the way with 61. There were also important knocks from Sam Bishop (45) and skipper Luke Brotherton 21.
With Brotherton taking late wickets on his way to 3-23, the home side were left high and dry on 188/7 to ensure the game finished all square.
The pick of the games in the Premier this weekend could be at Long Itchington where Shipston will be looking to extend their good run of form.
