Spa wrap up title formalities before Bailey ensures further celebrations

Tamworth won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat, with Leamington reducing the visitors to 30 for three.

Tom Warner (7-0-36-2) took two early wickets, including that of the dangerous Mike Talbot with the second ball of the game, before Grant Thornton (7-3-7-1) took the vital third wicket and, more importantly, guaranteed the point Leamington needed to lift the title.

A partnership of 41 between Stuart Burrows (29) and Ben Maddox looked to rebuild the innings before Joe McNulty (38) added some real impetus during an 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside Maddox who went on to compile a fine uneaten 68.

Max Webber (3-35) bowled brilliantly at the death to ensure Tamworth never got away from the home side as they finished on 179 for seven off their 50 overs.

In reply, Leamington got off to a shaky start as they limped to 33 for two with Shahbaz Alam (2) and Ollie Currill (11) both falling early.

Webber (32) and David Bailey then took the score to 53 before Rob Nield (2-34) had Webber caught behind and bowled Jonathan Wigley first ball.

Lee Hopkins and Mark Ashcroft both fell cheaply as Leamington slumped to 79 for six.

Grant Thornton then joined Bailey at the crease as the pair looked to swing the momentum back in Leamington’s favour.

When Thornton fell for an aggressive 24 to an excellent catch in the deep, the score had progressed to 142 thanks to an excellent 63-run partnership.

With 38 still required, Tamworth fancied their chances to take the final three wickets but will be disappointed with how they bowled towards the end of the innings as 32 wides were gifted to the Leamington score to take a lot of pressure off the home side.

Despite having seen five wickets fall at the other end, Bailey (56 not out) held his nerve during a real captain’s knock alongside Nabeel Ashgar (11 not out) as the pair ensured there were no further alarms.

Leamington 3rds concluded their Cotswold Hills Premier Division season with a 32-run win at Broadway.

Frequently taking the aerial route to cope with the erratic bounce and exploit the short boundaries, James Cowan (56) and George Tedstone (25) took Leamington to 79 for one in only the 18th over.

But after Tedstone and Salmon had been stumped in successive deliveries, the only other significant contribution was from David Hawkes (38).

Wickets fell regularly as the innings subsided from 162 for six to 175 all out.

The Leamington bowlers took wickets at regular intervals during the Broadway reply and when Matt Sellars snared the dangerous Powell they had reduced their hosts to 101 for seven.

This brought skipper Clements to the wicket and with sensible support he slowly chipped away at the target.

However, he was to be the last out for 26 as the innings closed on 143.