Bell toils for 97 to put Wardens in command against hosts Brewood

Keith Bell’s patient 97 laid the foundations for Kenilworth Wardens to claim a winning draw from a rain-affected visit to Brewood.
Keith Bells 97 put Wardens on their way to a winning draw over Brewood.Keith Bells 97 put Wardens on their way to a winning draw over Brewood.
Keith Bells 97 put Wardens on their way to a winning draw over Brewood.

The right-handed opener struck seven fours in his excellent 137-ball knock before being run out in the scramble for late runs agonisingly close to his first ton of the season.

Bell’s contribution ensured Wardens, who were making the club’s first-ever visit to twice-promoted Brewood, posted a competitive 181 for nine from their 46-over allocation, before the hosts’ response closed on 120 for six from 34 overs.

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This sealed the 14-point return which keeps Martin Donald’s team in the second Division One promotion spot ahead of tomorrow’s table-top clash with Dorridge, which also marks the season’s mid-point.

An accurate home attack, led by paceman Morne Heyneke (2-46) and spinner James Kidson (4-41), ensured none of the visitors’ stroke-makers were able to impose themselves.

Scott Stenning, Sitanshu Kotak and Tom Brammer all built useful partnerships with Bell, but none were able to make meaningful individual contributions.

Kidson (27) and Heyneke (41 not out) briefly threatened to take Brewood close before the introduction of left-armers Kotak and Matt Hancock imposed a stranglehold.

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The Indian ace grabbed three for 18 from 11 tidy overs, while the former Stratford spinner claimed three for 26 as Brewood settled for a losing draw.

Off-spinner Mike Challis-Brown grabbed a five-wicket haul but was unable to prevent Wardens 2nds slipping to an agonising one-wicket defeat at the hands of promotion rivals Coventry.

Challis-Brown found some slow turn from a worn Glasshouse Park surface to return five for 34 from 15 accurate overs as the visitors made heavy weather of their quest for 135.

However, he was unable to claim the final scalp as Coventry’s last pair, the experienced Mark Lilley and seamer Ashish Rana, scrambled the two runs which got their team over the line.

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Earlier, the hosts’ strong batting line-up failed to fire against an accurate Coventry attack.

Four of the top six reached 20, but poor shot selection dictated that none went beyond Robin de Regt’s 26.

3rd XI

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