Cricket
Battling Rugby avoid defeat

RUGBY held on for a losing draw in Saturday’s rain affected Warwickshire League Division One contest at Old Edwardians.

The hosts decided to bat first but Rugby quickly got themselves on top, reducing Old Eds to 24-4 thanks to Matt Ewer (3-21) and Riv Monsell (4-51).

Rashid Mohammed (30) helped steady the ship somewhat but Rugby continued to take wickets at regular intervals as Owen Edwards (2-31) and Muhammad Siddiqui (1-1) got in on the act.

Valuable runs at the bottom of the order from Waseem Khan (34) and Khalid Mahmood (19) gave the final total a late boost with Old Eds reaching 114 in the 35th over before the final wicket fell.

Michael Hughes (13) and Lee James (22) got things off to a solid enough start in reply as they put on 36 for the first wicket but it became hard work for Rugby from that point.

Saghir Mohammed (4-25) worked his way through the top order and with the next six in the order failing to reach double figures the visitors’ attentions turned to avoiding defeat.

Monsell’s 13 helped them do so as they closed on 88-8 from 39 overs.

Rugby, who sit 36 points clear at the top of the table, entertain eighth placed Warwick on Saturday.

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