Boroughs destroys Leamington with both bat and ball

An inexperienced Leamington side continued their indifferent start to the Birmingham League Division One campaign with a crushing 246-run defeat at high-flying Brockhampton.

The day started positively enough for Leamington as captain Rob Williams won the toss and elected to bowl first.

However, things soon went downhill as Adam Hewlett (31) and Ben Stebbings put on 72 for the first wicket.

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This was to be Leamington’s only scalp for a while as Herefordshire all-rounder Chris Boroughs joined Stebbings at the crease for a wonderful partnership of 297 for the second wicket.

Stebbings eventually fell for a magnificent 115 (136 balls, 12x4, 2x 6) off the bowling of Faisal Khalid towards the end of the innings but his innings was overshadowed by Boroughs’ incredible 190 off only 125 balls (26x4, 6x6).

Boroughs combined lusty blows with elegance to allow Brockhampton to declare on a mammoth 383 for four off 53 overs.

In reply, an opening partnership of 55 between David Bailey (25) and Alex Phillips (39) gave Leamington hope before that man Boroughs and Charlie Griffiths showed the visiting bowlers how to bowl on a wicket that offered plenty of assistance.

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The two formed an excellent partnership with Boroughs claiming four for 59 off his 15 overs and Griffiths weighing in with four for 36 from an over more as Leamington were bowled out for 137.

Luke Radford compiled a run-a-ball 30, but 20 maidens meant Leamington were always going to struggle in the face of their huge target.

Leamington’s 2nds held their nerve to claim the better of a draw in a thrilling conclusion to their clash with Old Hill.

Batting first, Leamington were struggling on 62 for four before Dave Hawkes and skipper James Uddin combined to put on 155 for the fifth wicket.

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Uddin went for a well-made 62, while Hawkes (95) perished in the dying overs, caught on the boundary as he looked for the six which would have taken him to a well- deserved century.

A final total of 251 all out looked a good effort on a wicket that offered some lateral movement, only for Old Hill openers Alex Hills (67) and Joe Thorn (68) to put that in doubt with an opening partnership of 126.

A blistering team talk during the drinks interval seemed to gal-vanise Leamington and reluctant bowler Jack Hawkes (3-30) and Jason Butler (3-62) got their side back into the game.

With all results still possible, Old Hill needed 22 off the final two overs with four wickets in hand.

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However, with calm authority, Hawkes and young Paul Lawrence kept their wits as Old Hill finished five runs short of victory on 247 for six.

Leamington 4ths claimed a hard-fought friendly victory at Badsey.

Batting first, Leamington’s total of 181 for seven was based on solid contributions from Josh Boorman (40), Mark Davison (34) and Lewis Baker (32).

Badsey’s innings was anchored by Stuart Berry, who made 70, but Leamington sneaked home by eight runs with Badsey all out for 173.

Matt Davison, 13, was the pick of the bowlers with three for 25.

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