Cricket
Meacham stars for Newbold

RICHARD Meacham’s unbeaten century helped Newbold claim a Warwickshire League 3rd XI and Single Team Division One East winning home draw against Ambleside on Saturday.

Captain Meacham played superbly to finish on 114 as Newbold posted 210-8 before Ambleside struggled to 144-7 in reply.

Having only played one game so far this season due to the poor weather conditions, the match was played on Newbold’s artificial wicket to ensure another game did not fall by the wayside.

Before the action got underway a minute’s silence was held for club stalwart Terry Highgam who sadly passed away last week.

Terry featured predominantly for the club in 1960s and 1970s as a fine all-rounder, captain and scorer of only the second century in the club’s history.

Newbold were put in after losing the toss but made good progress for the opening wicket with Paul Evans and Bruce Virdee adding 33 before the latter was bowled.

Evans was the next to fall having made 39 before a 40-run partnership followed between Zaffar Khokhar and Meacham, ending when Khokhar was bowled.

Meacham continued to anchor the innings though despite watching partners come and go at the other end and he deservedly went past three figures as Newbold set a challenging target.

Nuneaton found life hard in reply and were lucky not to lost a wicket off the second delivery of the match when Newbold put a chance down.

Opening bowlers George Elwell and Khokhar each took a wicket in their mean opening spells whilst Malcolm Bale accounted for three middle order batsmen.

Meacham’s good day continued when he caused a run out off his own bowling and Evans also chipped in with a wicket.

Although Newbold were unable to force the victory they finished with 17 points from the encounter and will help to build on the result when they travel to Atherstone 3rds on Saturday.

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