Sileby extend lead at top

by Harry Josephs

After last week’s rain the Everards Leicestershire and Rutland Premier League saw every game completed this weekend. Sileby Town extended their lead in a dramatic top-of-the-table game against Kibworth.

Kibworth went into the game 45 points behind Sileby. They won the toss, elected to field first, and struck early when Dave Torr was dismissed for 10.

Opener Luke Gale (50) and Jake Gillett (16) steadied the ship putting on 59 for the second wicket before both batsmen were dismissed with the score on 82.

When Liam Kinch was run out for 6, Sileby were 101 for 4 and in need of a partnership.

Jigar Naik and Mitchell Buck put 137 with Naik scoring 71 not out from 99 balls, a knock that included seven fours. Buck played the role of aggressor in scoring a quickfire 80 from 69 balls, hitting seven fours and two maximums along the way.

In response Kibworth got off to a solid start with openers Sundeep Patel and Matt Craven putting on 50 for the first wicket, Kibworth then fell to 87-3 with Neil Pullen taking two of the three wickets to fall.

The game then took another turn with Pite van Biljon and Hamish Merriman (65) putting on 110. When van Biljon fell for 84, Kibworth were 197 for 4, still in control of the game.

However, Sileby fought back and the target was eight runs off the last two balls with two wickets remaining. Kinch dismissed the Patel brothers - Monik and Mahang - to seal a famous victory. All told, Kibworth lost their last six wickets for just 47 runs.

Pullen ended with 4 for 37 while Naik and Kinch took three apiece, meaning Sileby ran out winners by seven runs to put them in control in the title race.

Kegworth leapfrogged Kibworth after putting in a good performance to beat Enderby. Kegworth batted first and made 238-9, Alex Fletcher posting the highest score of 86.

In response Enderby were bowled out for 153, Neal Mackey top-scoring with 45. George Scottorn did most of the damage for Kegworth in finishing with figures of 4-35.

Loughborough Town were comprehensive winners against Lutterworth. Loughborough won the toss and elected to bowl and this decision paid off with Lutterworth being bowled out for 121.

Nathan Bowley was particularly impressive for Loughborough taking 4-16 in his spell. Loughborough then reached their target comfortably with Andy Rishton top scoring with 38 and Anish Patel scoring 34 not out.

Market Harborough put in a solid performance with the bat and superb performance with the ball as they beat Barkby United by 127 runs.

Harborough batted first and reached 204-8 from their 50 overs. Wicket-keeper Joe Kendall top scored with 33 and Tom Leonard, Don Butchart and Josh Bott all scored 30. For Barkby Cameron Sharp was the standout bowler, taking 3-21 from his 10 over allocation. Eamonn Bourke also bowled economically taking 2 for 16 from his 10 overs, his spell including five maidens.

In reply Barkby were 54-2 with Louis Botting scoring 42. However, once he fell Barkby lost their remaining eight wickets for just 23 runs, resulting in them being bowled out for 77. Rob Taylor and Butchart were on particularly good form taking four wickets each. Taylor bowled his 10 overs for just 17 runs and Butchart claimed figures of 7.2-1-15-4.

Rothley Park were unable to force a win against Leicester Ivanhoe but did take a winning draw from the fixture. Rothley batted first and made 258 for 6 from their 50 overs.

Three Rothley batsmen passed 50; Adam Hackett top-scored with 75 and Sam Ward scored a quickfire 67 from 43 balls, a knock that contained seven fours and three sixes. Rothley skipper Hamzah Khan also scored 52.

In reply Ivanhoe looked in trouble at 15 for 3 and the trouble deepened to 87-8. Peter Dickson remained unbeaten with a defiant 85 and Ivanhoe reached 162-8 from their 50 overs. For Rothley Charles Dagnall took 3-16 from his 10 overs and another former fox Iain O’Brien picked up 2 for 28 from his 10.

Syston and Barrow were involved in a low scoring game. Barrow won the toss and elected to field and when Syston were bowled out for 148 they would have fancied their chances. For Syston Charles Wootton top scored with 41. Barrow were then bowled out for 68 with Umar Razzaq taking 5-25 and George Corbett 3-21.