Warwickshire Cricket League Division 2
Rugby CC v Streetly
Rugby CC 259 for 5 (18 pts) drew with Streetly CC 247 for 9 (10 pts)
The town were just one wicket away from a consecutive win on Saturday as they put in a good performance against third-placed Streetly. Skipper Steve Hurt chose to bat first on another superb strip by RCC groundsman Phill Hall, and Hurt and young opener Alex Smith played out of their skins to post 140 in 30 overs, with Smith first keeping the score ticking over, then playing a supporting role to Hurt as the RCC skipper passed his half century with regular boundaries.
Smith was eventually caught at long off for a valuable 44, but returning RCC all-rounder Matt Ewer hit his first ball for four, and continued that tempo in a great cameo of 32 with five boundaries. Mo Sadiq (10) and Hugh Cochrane (4) were bowled trying to force the pace, and Hurt eventually fell for a captain's innings of 93, with 12 boundaries.
After 45 overs the town were 221 for 5, but a good sensible partnership of 38 between James Lloyd (11) and Alan Milsom (18 not out) put the icing on the cake for Rugby to post a challenging 259.
Streetly fancied their chances on a batters wicket, and set off rapidly aided by some wayward Rugby bowling. After 9 overs Streetly were 40 without loss, but Matt Ewer (11-0-50-2) had Eastham caught behind for 20, and then pinned all-rounder Moore LBW for a duck.
Another good spell by 21 year old Javed Jiwaji (7-0-30-1) saw him bowl solid opener Yeend for 28, and Findlay hit a rapid 34 before a good catch by keeper Colin Watson off spinner Mo Sadiq (10-0-50-1). At the midway point the match was well poised at 105 for 4, with the visitors needing 6 an over to win.
Matt Hinks (7-0-44-3) conjured up some wickets that saw Streetly 196 for 8, then 228 for 9 as Rugby bagged a run out, but even the prolific Alan Milsom (15-1-60-1) couldn't quite force the final wicket in the final few overs as an appreciative crowd enjoyed a competitive game of cricket.
Another positive result from Rugby, who need to continue this momentum to have any chance of a avoiding a drop to Division 3.