Tom Lewis returns to good effect for powerful-looking Spa

Having acquired several new faces following their elevation to Division One of the Birmingham League, Leamington now boast their strongest line-up for years and quickly set about justifying that optimism.

Visiting Harborne, a notoriously quick-scoring ground, skipper Rob Williams lost the toss and was invited to bat.

Shahbaz Alam was adjudged lbw in the first over without scoring but youngster Ollie Currill (38) and David Bailey set about rebuilding the innings with a partnership of 89.

Once Currill departed, the returning Tom Lewis really upped the run rate with a blistering hundred.

When Bailey departed for a very composed 76 after a partnership of 77 with Lewis, Lewis took full advantage of the short boundaries to score a rapid 116 off 77 balls (13x4, 8x6).

Another new signing, Zack Fagg, looked in great form from ball one and also set about taking full advantage of the short boundaries.

Fagg’s 39 came off 15 balls and included four maximums as Leamington finished the innings on a hugely impressive 331 for nine.

For Harborne, Land was the pick of the bowlers with four for 49.

In reply, a fantastic opening spell from Grant Thornton put Harborne on the back foot.

First he had Fernando lbw for 0 before removing Franklin (22) and Lloyd first ball.

At this point the home side were 49 for three but Randhawa (28) and Pemberton set about rebuilding the innings.

When Faisal Khalid was introduced into the attack he soon set about ripping through the middle order as Harborne fell increasingly behind the required run rate.

Pemberton eventually departed for a bludgeoning run-a-ball 67, with Khalid (4-45) and Thornton (3-26) putting Leamington in control.

Despite a late flurry from Land (48 off only 17 balls), the result was never in doubt as Leamington eventually ran out winners by 107 runs in a thoroughly professional all-round performance.