Khalid finds a rich seam of form as Spa look to start the journey back

The game was a chance to showcase a new-look team with Mark Lewis and Rob Williams returning after long-standing injuries and work commitments and spinning all-rounders Mark Ashcroft and Nabeel Ashgar making their debuts.

Having lost the toss, Stourbrige made early inroads into Leamington’s top order as Shahbaz Alam and David Bailey fell cheaply but Mark Lewis and Mark Ashcroft (35) joined forces in a vital third-wicket partnership.

Once Ashcroft departed, Lewis (73) played an assured and valuable innings alongside captain Rob Williams (48) and Lee Hopkins (31) who helped up the scoring as Leamington compiled a competitive 209 for eight from their 50 overs.

The pick of the bowlers for Stourbridge was Bilal Hassan who claimed four for 47.

Due to a couple of rain breaks during the Leamington innings, Stourbridge needed 160 from 29 overs for the win but they got off to the worst possible start as Grant Thornton produced a beauty to bowl Al Bingham with the first ball of the innings.

Steven Game followed shortly afterwards to Tom Warner (1-20) before captain Richard Bradley (20) and overseas player Audy Alexander (27) came together to keep Stourbridge in the hunt.

However, the introduction of seamer Faisal Khalid swung the momentum Leamington’s way with three quick wickets allied to a couple of vital run-outs putting the hosts in command.

Despite a valiant 39 from Josh Banks, the victory was secured as Thornton (2-12) returned to pick up another wicket with Khalid, who finished with an excellent four for 22 from his six overs, claiming a final scalp.

 More Leamington CC reports on page 79.