2018 League round-up 2

After the previous weekend was full of cricket, the rain returned and affected all but two fixtures in the Leicestershire and Rutland Premier League.

It was a great day for Academy Player Harry Funnell who, opening the batting for Barkby, hit 101 as his side amassed 276-7 from 50 overs in their game against Market Harborough. Funnell’s innings included 14 boundaries and 2 maximums. He was well supported by Captain Steve Flowers who made 55 (7x4, 3x6)

Harborough slipped to 119-7 from 25 overs before the players came off for rain after 25 overs. Jamie Drake took five of the seven wickets conceding just 39 runs in the process. The other two wickets to fall were run outs. Only Harborough Captain Tom Leonard provided resistance as he made 58. 

The other game that wasn’t impacted due to the weather was between Langtons and Syston. Langtons won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that was vindicated in particular by Asif Mai. Mai bowled 8.2 overs, with six maidens, conceding just seven runs and taking five wickets. Extras totalled 31 and Syston Captain Mo Pardesi top-scored with 26 as Syston could only make 89.

Syston were indebted to Soyab Salajee, who hit an unbeaten 41 at a run a ball. He was the only batsmen to reach double figures: extras contributed 32 to the Langtons score. Vibhu Yadav gave Syston hope taking 4-22 from eight overs, but Salajee and Muhammad Sarfraz were unbeaten as Langtons won by four wickets. 

The remaining four fixtures in the league were all abandoned. Barrow Town had made 247 for the loss of nine wickets in their 50 overs against Kegworth. Rishi Patel made 100 opening the batting and he was well-supported by wicket-keeper Rahul Avatar who made 61. 

James Dickinson, who represents our Academy and has played for the Second Team this summer, took 4 wickets, running through the Barrow middle-order and Brent Williams also took a four-for. Kegworth were 62-4 from 9.2 overs when the rain started to fall. Williams’ impressive day continued as he was unbeaten on 55.

Lutterworth had got themselves in a commanding position against Leicester Ivanhoe. Lutterworth made 275-7 from their 50 overs, Matt Pickering followed up his form from last week with 88 and there were contributions from Wesley Marshall (42) and Chay Kalym (35). 

For Ivanhoe, Leicestershire CCC player Sam Evans was the standout bowler, his eight overs yielding a return of 2 for 35. Academy bowler Alex Evans also impressed taking 2-34 from 9 overs. The rain fell nine overs into the Ivanhoe chase with the score 36-1.

Reigning Champions Sileby had set up an interesting game against Kibworth before the heavens opened. Sileby had been bowled out for 150, Dave Whitmore took 3-32 from 8.1 overs and Matt Bashford 3-29 helped get Kibworth in a solid positon. For Sileby, Jake Gillet top-scored with 33 and Brady Glennon chipped in with 26.

At 8 for 2 the Kibworth reply was in a spot of bother but Petrus Van Biljoen and Josh Peel added 51 for the third wicket before Peel fell for 18. Kibworth added three runs before the rain fell leading to an early finish.

Loughborough Town had scored an imposing 289-8 from their 50 overs. Tom Wells opened the batting and made 44, Ashish Trusz, a member of the club’s Academy, top-scored with 68, and Shyam Patel also made a half-century. Uppingham Town had made 40 for 1 before the rain set in.

In Division One, Craig Chapman hit a record-breaking 222 not out off just 87 balls for Newtown Linford against Earl Shilton. He struck 22 maximums and 17 fours with his second hundred coming off just 27 balls, which is an incredible achievement. Newtown posted 376 for 3 while Shilton were 24 without loss after six overs before rain arrived.

Away from the Leicestershire league Harry Dearden was in fine form for Woodbank CC hitting 65, however, could not prevent his side losing by 43 runs to Flixton. Tom Taylor was in the runs again for Ticknall, he hit 55 out of his side’s 240. Taylor also picked up a wicket as his side won by 75 runs.

* For the very latest news from the Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League, check out their website HERE