Cricket:
Easy success keeps hopes alive

WILLOUGHBY kept themselves firmly in the South Northants League Division One promotion picture with a comprehensive ten-wicket victory at fellow contenders Charlton.

The visitors returned their biggest win of the campaign at just the right time as they easily negotiated their run chase before any chance of the weather intervening

Charlton, one of the leading run scorers in the division, batted first but could only muster a total of 75ao, having no answer to the bowling efforts of Tom Hill (4-16) and Dave Alcock (3-14).

In reply, Willoughby made light work of reaching their target, James Barnwell made 33no with fellow opener Alcock also unbeaten on 42 to complete a good afternoon’s work and continue their impressive run.

THERE was finally something to cheer for the A side as they defeated Maids Moreton at The Green as a result of a faster run rate in Division Four.

Batting first, the hosts recovered from a perilous position of 67-6 to reach 133-6 from their allotted overs.

Pete Reynolds enjoyed time in the middle to stabilise a recovery making 25, aided by an equally useful effort from Matt Greenwood (37no). Luke Tory took 3-31 for the visitors.

In reply, Maids Moreton started well enough with opener Nigel Norman making 30 and Andy Hamilton 25, however they were removed as John Gregson and Nikesh Mistry applied the brakes on the visitor’s reply and push to the target.

Mistry returned 2-19 with Gregson taking 5-25 - which included a hat-trick, as Willoughby fought their way through the middle order into the tail.

Storms then arrived which saw both teams forced off the field with just seven overs left, 30 runs needed and the visitors left clinging on with their last wicket intact.

At this point Willoughby were marginally ahead on run rate by only three runs which, with no further play possible, proved just enough for the hosts to end their long wait for a returning to winning ways; a win which does not quite get them out of the bottom two but in the context of other results elsewhere means the fight to avoid relegation is likely to go right to the wire.

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