Willoughby v Leamington Khalsa

Leamington Khalsa 205 for 9
Willoughby 187 for 7

Leamington Khalsa won by 18 runs

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A useful work-out for Willoughby ahead of the start of this weekend's South Northants League campaigns saw visitors Leamington Khalsa edge Saturday's meeting at The Green.

Batting first, the visitors set a useful target for the hosts to chase, reaching 205 for 9, countered by Pete Reynolds taking 3 for 25 and Lee Johnson taking two wickets for the Willoughby.

In reply, Kash Choudry top scored with 69 for Willoughby, with useful knocks from the respective Saturday 1st and 2nd XI captain - Simon Blunden making 48 and Martin Nichols crafting 39 not out, as the hosts closed 18 runs short on 187 for 7.

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Club Friendly

Willoughby v Harbury

Harbury 158 all out
Willoughby 160 for 7

Willoughby won by 3 wickets

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Sunday's friendly at The Green was equally entertaining, with Willoughby enjoying their first win of the season at the fourth attempt.

The visitors were inserted into bat and encountered a useful opening spell from Simon Nicholls and Abbas Mohammed. They returned figures of 2 for 31 and 1 for 38 respectively although could not see off Harbury's J Newport who survived a number of early scares to go on to make a hard-hit 66, before coming one of John Gregson's victims. His haul of 4 for 23 through the mid-order went some way to restrict the visitors in reaching 158 all out.

In reply, Willoughby set off in devastating fashion after an early loss, with Abbas carrying on from where he left off last Sunday. Aided by at times, a touch of fortune, his hard-hitting saw him smash 12 boundaries and two sixes inside 12 overs as the ball was deposited to all corners of the field. He eventually was stumped for 66 but set the platform which after the loss of two quick wickets was re-established by Manny Singh (27) and Nicholls. The latter took the hosts to the brink of victory which was completed by young David Jakeman carefully plundering the final runs with some excellent measured placement, seeing Willoughby home by 7 wickets. Ed Russell deservedly returned figures of 3 for 43 with Nicholson recording 3 for 45 for Harbury.