Boyle’s early breakthrough as good as it gets for Kenilworth

Bedworth batted first and got off to the worst possible start when Joe Boyle claimed a wicket with first ball of the game.

Visiting skipper Jason Jakeman then began the fightback with 44.

However, Bedworth were kept in check by a quality spell of slow bowling by Phil Edmunds who picked up four for 44 off 12 tidy overs.

He was well supported by Joe Boyle (3-71), Tom Pope (2-55) and Jorjit Singh(1-36), with Guy Pearson taking two tidy catches in the outfield as Bedworth were all for 225 in the 50th over.

In reply, Kenilworth had a promising third-wicket stand of 40 between James Holder (19) and Callum Jones (26) before skipper Chris Prophet, coming in at number five, scored a quality unbeaten 65.

However, wickets continued to fall at the other end with Jakeman (4-38) proving the match-winner for Bedworth.

Sam Smart chipped in with three for 42 as Kenilworth were bowled out for 183 with five overs remaining.

Kenilworth’s Sunday XI suffered a 75-run defeat in their 40-over friendly against Leicestershire side Lubenham.

Lubenham openers May and Read flayed the home attack to all parts until Ali Peebles (2-36) removed Read for 47, aided by a smart catch from the evergreen Andy Dadswell.

May went on to complete his century before retiring on 102 but Harrold continued the assault with a quickfire 64 not out as the visitors posted a daunting 280 for four.

Youngster Ryan Bull was the other wicket-taker, while Sam Leach took two smart catches on the boundary.

In reply, openers Dadswell and Danny Boneham got the reply off to a solid start with runs coming at a good pace.

The pair went on to put on 115 before Boneham was out for a fine 51 (8x4).

Dadswell continued on to make a solid 71 (9x4, 1x6) but the target was always going to be a stiff one.

Ali Peebles finished unbeaten on 22 but Kenilworth closed their 40 overs well short on 205 forfive.

Harrold with two for 19 and Smith (2-16) were the wicket- takers for the visitors.

 Highway’s Jamie Marsh almost single-handedly sent Southam careering to defeat in their opening Warwickshire Division One outing at the Old Road Ground.

Opener Marsh was the only Highway batsman to get into double figures on a rain-affected pitch, hitting 12 fours in his 78 as Highway were dismissed for 117 in the 39th over.

The Southam bowlers all took advantage of helpful conditions, with Jake Hooker (4-44), Usman Saleem (3-26) and Tom Cooper (3-18) sharing the wickets.

After Matty Goatley fell to Tom Yardley, Simon Heath (18), Joe French (20) and Nathan Hooker (10) all made starts.

However, the introduction of Marsh hastened Southam’s demise, with the all-rounder picking up five for 12 off seven overs as the home side were bundled out for just 80.