Bears Hold On To Second Spot

The Warwickshire Bears held on to second spot in the FP t20 North Group following a convincing win against Yorkshire Carnegie on Sunday.

Following a solid (but not outstanding) batting performance, spearheaded by Darren Maddy (33) and Keith Barker (35), the Bears set Yorkshire Carnegie a respectable score of 156 for victory at the new and improved Headingley Carnegie stadium. But, after Ant Botha claimed a scalp of wickets – in sync with a tentative response – the hosts fell to a 34-run defeat.

Winning the toss and batting, the main aim for the Bears was to maintain second place in the FP t20 North Group. Neil Carter got them off to a great start, hitting three fours and a six in a flurry of quick runs (21 from 16 balls). Looking for that formidable total, Maddy and new number three Barker displayed their t20 credentials, putting on 39 for the second wicket. Maddy eventually fell to off-spinner Azeem Rafiq for a valuable 33 off 19 balls, before leg-spinner Adil Rashid removed Jim Troughton and Ian Westwood in quick succession, finishing with 2 for 20 from his four overs.

Undeterred, Barker continued to swing his arms and an excellent late-order cameo from Ant Botha (26 not out) held the end of the Bears' campaign together. Their innings closed on 155-8, despite Pyrah (3 for 22) taking two wickets in the final over.

Young left-hander Adam Lyth kick-started the Carnegie innings – helping them to 40 from their first five overs – before Steffan Piolet had him caught behind for 34. Richard Johnson then smartly stumped his opposite number, Gerard Brophy, for 13. Imran Tahir and Botha were introduced to slow down a struggling middle order and, after claiming key wickets of Gibbs and Rudolph between them, left Yorkshire chasing victory at 81 for 4. Any hopes of a win, and displacing the Bears from their second-place stronghold, gradually faded as Piolet removed Gary Ballance for just six before in-form Barker tormented the lower order, claiming two wickets from his solitary over.

Warwickshire Bears 155-8 (Maddy 33, Barker 35; Pyrah 3-22, Rashid 2-20) beat Yorkshire Carnergie 121-9 (Lyth 34; Piolet 2-17, Botha 3-16, Barker 2-2) by 34 runs.