Bablake lose Warwickshire League top spot after defeat to Handsworth

Sep 2 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Mail

BABLAKE’S Bank Holiday slip at home to Warwick allowed Handsworth to leapfrog them at the top of the Premier Division.

The Coventry outfit led by nine points going into Monday’s matches only to slip to an 80-run defeat despite bowling their guests out for 169. But they were skittled out themselves for 89 with the visitors’ Craig Downing claiming four for 19.

That allowed Handsworth to open up their own nine-point lead with just two games to go.

They were easy winners at home to Fillongley, particularly after posting 204 for nine. They dismissed their opponents for 125 to secure a 79-run victory and maximum points.

Kenilworth stay third after beating Bedworth by 43 runs. Their total of 120 would have looked vulnerable but bowling figures of five for nine from Geoff Edmunds and Charlie Leonard’s four for 32 saw them reduce Bedworth to 77 all out.

Nuneaton won by seven wickets at home to Kings Heath, and Atherstone had the better of a draw with Solihull Blossomfield.