ALCESTER & RAGLEY remain sixth in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division but are just 22 points off top spot following Saturday’s 42-run victory over visitors Long Itchington.
An inspired batting display set the hosts’ platform for victory as three players made half centuries.
Openers Darren Turner (50 – his first half century for the club) and Ben Lee (25) got Ragley off to a flying start before man of the match Adam Warbrick produced a free-flowing knock of 67 and Ben Shuttleworth chipped in with 27.
Spinner Steve Franks (five wickets) took a flurry of scalps to slow the hosts’ charge down before all-rounder Tim Jackson took over and thumped three fours and four sixes in making his maiden half century for Alcester, who closed on 261-9.
Long Itchington remained in the hunt for long spells of their chase and at 210-5 off 42 overs the match hung in the balance.
However, Oli Swinburn was in no mood to mess around and his 5-50 off ten overs, including two wickets in what proved to be the final over, clinched the match as Long Itchington were dismissed for 219.
Ragley visit third placed Wellesbourne on Saturday.
