Swindells & Evans star in Ivanhoe win

Leicestershire duo Harry Swindells and Sam Evans helped Leicester Ivanhoe get off to a flyer on the opening weekend of the Everards Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League.

Academy batsman Swindells posted an unbeaten 115 while Evans, who recently signed a summer contract with the Foxes, scored 52 in a second wicket stand worth 125 as Ivanhoe overhauled Barrow Town’s 209 all out to win by eight wickets.

While Ivanhoe picked up 25 points, there were full 30-point hauls for Lutterworth, Market Harborough and Kegworth, who gained promotion alongside Enderby.

Kevin Innes top-scored with 72 as Harborough made 215-9 and former Leicestershire all-rounder Rob Taylor (3-19) was in the wickets alongside Laurence Perry (4-15) as Syston were dismissed for 102.

Former Leicestershire seamer Iain O’Brien took 3-42 for Rothley Park but Kegworth recovered from 116-6 to post 231 thanks to Alex Fletcher’s 55. The visitors were bowled out for 165 in reply, Jordan Holmes and William Wade taking three wickets apiece.

Leicestershire slow left arm spinners James Sykes and Callum Parkinson played against each other as Lutterworth won at Enderby by 48 runs.

The visitors put 191 on the board despite slipping to 145-9 at one stage. Sykes had a terrific game, scoring 66 before claiming 3-45 alongside George Terry's 5-24. Chris Conway (3-28) and Neil Mackey (52 not out) were Enderby's star performers.

The day’s highest scorers were Kibworth, who posted 265-8 against Loughborough Town thanks in large to 82 from opening batsman Matt Craven and scores in the 40s by Foxes batsman Aadil Ali and overseas player Pite van Biljoen. Academy bowler Ben Mike finished with excellent figures of 2-43 from ten overs.

All-rounder Kyle Saddington took 4-51 and then made an unbeaten 33 as the visitors held on for a draw despite three-wicket hauls for Darren Shaw and Richard Jackson. Opener Anish Patel top-scored with 54.

Barkby United and Sileby Town were involved in a thrilling game. Former Leicestershire off-spinner Jigar Naik (4-23) and current left arm seamer Dieter Klein (1-48) took five of the Barkby wickets to fall as they posted 225-6, Steve Flowers and Adam Stapleford-Jones making scores in the 60s.

County all-rounder Will Fazakerley (1-45) and Academy bowler Harry Funnell (2-51) opened the bowling for Barkby, who scented victory as Sileby Town slipped from 109-1 to 207-9 after Dave Torr (73) was dismissed.

Last pair Harry Bates and Umar Afzal put the hosts back in with a chance of winning but ultimately the match would be drawn as Sileby closed at 223-9, with both teams having a deserved share of the spoils.