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Top trio win to set up grand finale

Thu 20th August 2009

ARTICLE FROM THE LEICESTER MERCURY ON Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Premier Division title chase is boiling up into a thrilling finish after the top three all had successful times in the double-header weekend.

Birstall Village have a two-point lead over Woodhouse Eaves, both sides landing two victories.

And County Cup finalists Newbold Verdon are only 29 points behind Woodhouse.

Birstall began with a five-wicket home win over Broughton Astley.

Sam Tingle hit 35 for Broughton who were all out for 102 in the 41st over.



Birstall got home in the 29th over. Andy Lord was the top scorer on 17 in an innings boosted by a large number of extras.

The following day Birstall bowled out Twycross for 143 with off-spinner Pete Sharpe taking 3-27 and medium-pacer Julian Saye 3-35.

Opener Andy Galpin cracked 54, skipper Dave Sharpe 44 and Lord 31 as Birstall powered home by eight wickets in the 24th over.

Woodhouse Eaves opened with a 55-run success over Wigston Town.

Nick Collins' patient 80 put Woodhouse on the way to 193-9 off their 45 overs and Andy Stovell added some late impetus with a quickfire unbeaten 40 off 17 deliveries. Luke Berriman claimed 4-45 for Wigston.

Off-spinner Brett Collins took 3-46 as Wigston were bowled out for 136 in the 41st over.

The next day, Woodhouse reduced Leuva Patidar to 98-8 despite Mindy Patel hitting 43.

Ranji Iswarlal cracked an unbeaten 38 to lead a recovery to 151-9. The match was in the balance with Woodhouse on 85-5, but skipper Steve Markley steered his side to a three-wicket victory with an unbeaten 52.

Opener Mark Wilkinson cracked a half-century to lead Newbold Verdon to 211-8 against Bharat Sports.

Mark Henderson then took three wickets.

But Bharat held out for a draw on 115-4.

The following day, Newbold Verdon had a walkover against Broughton Astley.

Huncote also went close to a double victory.

They overpowered an under-strength Burton-on-the-Wolds by 118 runs.

Ian Crossley's 97 guided Huncote to 263-8 despite Rob Dunn taking 4-79 and Sam Shipman 3-59. Kristian Barker then took 4-22 and skipper Wayne Smith 3-13 as Burton were bowled out for 141. James Brewin's 77 helped Huncote to 190 against Wigston Town.

Barker claimed 3-7 off six overs but Wigston held on for a draw on 147-9.

Burton-on-the-Wolds suffered a second defeat when they were skittled for 73 by Bharat Sports.

Seamers Pritesh Karadia (3-22) and Rash Patel (2-6) and off-spinner Darmesh Patel (3-6) did most of the damage.

Bharat needed only 14 overs of their reply to complete a 10-wicket triumph.

Mohammed Khan led the way for Leicester Caribbeans in a four-wicket win at Twycross.

He took 3-22 in the home side's 189-9 and led the run chase with 67 not out.

The following day Khan scored 41 in Caribbeans' 179-9, but Appleby Magna held on for a draw on 138-6.