Eckersley & Ali in form

Leicestershire batsmen Ned Eckersley and Aadil Ali were in the runs in the latest round of Everards Premier League matches.

Eckersley scored 76 for Earl Shilton as they posted 231 before Hinckley chased the target down to win for the first time this season.

Ali’s 66 led Kibworth to 243-8 despite Syston’s Carl Fourie finishing with 5-30. Fourie continued his fine game by making 45, and Ramandeep Ghuman scored 68, but the spoils were shared as Syston scored 230-7.

Syston are now joint leaders of the division with Sileby, who won by a five-wicket margin at Leicester Ivanhoe.

Leicestershire Academy duo Sam Evans and Aadil Rashid each scored 30 but Umar Afzal claimed 4-35 for Sileby who then had Jack Ford (54) and Liam Kinch (43) in fine fettle with the bat.

Off-spinners Rishi Patel and Nil Patel shared six wickets as Loughborough Town, who are now third, landed an impressive four-wicket win at Lutterworth.

Karl Smith took 4-31 as Lutts attempted to defend 166 but Charlie Lowen hit 43 before an unbroken half-century stand between Kyle Saddington and Martyn Gidley guided Town home.

Barkby are up to fourth after landing an impressive win against Rothley Park. Rob Townsend’s brilliant haul of 6-16 ensured the visitors were only chasing 83.

The target was reached before the tea interval thanks to a stand of 61 between Matthew Boyce (34) and Steve Flowers (29) despite a lively opening burst from Atif Sheikh, who claimed two wickets.

Academy batsman Jack Nightingale made 50 and Leicestershire spinner Rob Sayer claimed two wickets as Barrow Town had the better of a draw against Market Harborough.

Ramesh Kara struck 135 alongside Nightingale as the hosts posted 281-9, Harborough closing on 225-7 after ‘keeper Max Levine made 83.