Women’s cricket in Leamington has received a financial boost after a sponsorship deal with local solicitors Blythe Liggins.

The law firm, which also sponsors the Two Castles Run, has signed up to support the women and girls’ section at Leamington Cricket Club in Arlington Avenue.

Chairman of cricket Neil Smith, a former England and Warwickshire player and son of legendary England cricket captain and rugby international M.J.K. Smith, said: “These are exciting times for women’s cricket and Blythe Liggins’ generous support will help us to provide more coaching and equipment, which will attract players from across the region.

“Women’s cricket is proving so popular and is one of the fastest growing areas in women’s sport. Our women and girls’ section has gone from strength to strength in recent years,” he added.

Kevin Mitchell, a partner and commercial solicitor with Blythe Liggins and chairman of Leamington Cricket Club, said the sponsorship would provide extra coaching and equipment.

He said: “Leamington Cricket Club is at the forefront of women’s cricket in this area. We were the first club in England to hold a women’s softball festival (last year) and we hope to make it an annual event. We also have girls as young as five playing, and a joint venture with Berkswell Ladies which enables them to both train and play their matches.”

 

Caption: Leamington Cricket Club chairman Kevin Mitchell (right) with chairman of cricket Neil Smith and the club’s Warwickshire players Imogen Lomas, Abi Mitchell and Laura Bawden.

Sunday’s 36th Two Castles Run, organised by Kenilworth Rotary Club and the Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club, had a full entry of 4,000 runners and raised more than £100,000 for charity.

The run, between the castles at Warwick and Kenilworth, was sponsored for the 13^th consecutive year by Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins and lived up to its reputation as one of the best and classic 10k runs in the country.

Competitors gathered within the walls of Warwick Castle and were sent on their way at exactly 9.00 am, with the winner, Peter Huck, arriving at Kenilworth in 31 minutes 23 seconds. He was followed home 1 minute 33 second later by Calon Halon (running for Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club) and Martin Williams, placed third with a time of 33 minutes 32 seconds.

Peter said it was the first time he had entered the Two Castles and had enjoyed the tremendous support around the course. Commenting on his substantial winning margin he said: “I felt at the start I was getting bogged down so I decided to kick hard and wasn’t challenged after that.”

The first woman home was Oxford City AC’s Martha Lloyd (third last year) in a time of 38 minutes 16 seconds. Tori Green from Rugby and Northampton AC was second with a time 38 minutes 49 seconds and third place went to Kelly Edwards from Leamington C& AC in 38 minutes 58 seconds.

Race organiser Philip Southwell said: “The Two Castles is one of the best-loved athletic events in the Midlands and is both for serious runners and for those who run for sheer enjoyment, or for charity. Each year it grows in popularity and attracts entries from all the country. As always, our priority is to have a safe, injury-free event and today we have again achieved that, together with raising £100,000 for charity.”

Richard Thornton, joint senior partner of sponsors Blythe Liggins Solicitors, which also provided a water station at the finish, said: “It was great to be involved with the event once again. We had 30 runners from Blythe Liggins taking part this year, and everyone really appreciated the atmosphere on the day. Once again, Kenilworth Rotary Club did a fantastic job. We are already looking forward to next year’s run.”

 

Caption: Jeremy Wright, the Attorney General and local MP for Kenilworth and Southam (left), joined Richard Thornton from sponsors Blythe Liggins Solicitors and Kenilworth mayor Coun Mike Hitchins at the presentation to cup winners Peter Huck and Martha Lloyd.