Cricket
Rugby open with a comfortable success

RUGBY CC began life in Warwickshire League Division One in fine style on Saturday when recording an eight-wicket victory at Marston Green.

After suffering an opening weekend washout, Rugby were glad to take to the middle at the second time of asking and they started in impressive style with victory over a Marston Green who pipped them to the Division Two title last season.

Rugby skipper Matt Ewer went against his usual policy of batting first when winning the toss, deciding to have a bowl instead.

It very quickly proved a smart decision as he immediately found conditions to his liking in the first over before Riv Monsell struck in the second when bowling Jamie Johnson for 1.

Owen Edwards' smart slip catch gave Ewer his first wicket to remove Simon Froggatt whilst Patrick Knott also fell quickly, lbw to Monsell, making it 10-3.

Gareth Stratford (35) and Gary Poulton (21) steadied the ship, carrying the score to 67-3 before the former fell lbw to Neal McGrath (2-19) to break the partnership.

Wickets then began to fall regularly again with Ewer (3-24), Monsell (4-37) and Edwards (1-28) all striking to bowl the hosts out for 114. Without a fighting 31 from captain Dean Tune, Marston Green's total would have been considerably smaller.

With the majority of other games in the division being washed out again, Rugby knew they had a chance to steal a march on the rest of the division if they could chase down the small target.

A solid start from Charles Robards and Stuart Lloyd (13) took the total to 31 whilst Raj Chohan (7) was to fall soon afterwards.

The experienced Gary Broome (2-21) took both of the wickets to fall and caused Rugby a number of problems bowling a consistent length.

He was unable to move Robards or Michael Hughes though, the duo finishing 51no and 30no respectively to see their side home at 115-2 after 35 overs.

Rugby will bid to build on their success when they tackle Pak Shaheen on Saturday in their first home game of the season.

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