CRICKET: BABLAKE Old Boys dropped to eighth in the Warwickshire Cricket League Premier Division after losing out to high-flying Solihull Municipal on the road.
Despite skittling the home side out for just 137, Bablake suffered their own batting woes and were bowled out 128 – falling nine runs short of what would have been a crucial victory.
Bablake won the toss and elected to bowl first on a hot and humid day.
Their decision appeared to be the correct one when Mike Rowley fell for five runs.
Three wickets later George Gray came to the crease.
Gray hit a standout 55 from 107 balls to guide the hosts past 100 – though at the other end he saw the wickets of Boyce (25), Stanley (1), and Lewis (0) fall as Solihull limped to 100/6.
Solihull were eventually bowled out for 137.
In reply, Bablake Old Boys made a disastrious start and were quickly reduced to 39/6.
A remarkable revival though saw Mark Eames and Sam Eames take the score to 84 – but when they were both out Bablake appeared to stand little chance of victory with another 50 runs needed with two wickets remaining.
Tailender Matthew Kettley hit a surprising knock of 33 though to take Bablake to within ten runs of victory.
But when he was trapped lbw with the score on 128, the game was over – and Solihull Municipal ran out narrow winners by nine runs.
