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Spinner stars as Birstall survive scare to stay top

Tue 25th August 2009

Article from the Leicester mercury on Tuesday 25th August

Premier Division leaders Birstall Village survived a massive scare against Leuva Patidar.

They edged home by two runs to maintain a three-point advantage over Woodhouse Eaves.

Birstall were bowled out for 115 in the 41st over despite skipper Dave Sharpe hitting 34.

Seamer Viren Patel did most of the damage, taking 5-31 including 5-6 in four overs in his second spell.

Patel hit 24 and Dansukh Dhiru 22 in the Leuva Patidar reply but the Birstall attack made steady inroads.



Medium-pacer Julian Saye and off-spinner Pete Sharpe both took 3-32 and seamer Prad Sood produced a telling burst of 3-11 in four overs late in the innings.

Leuva Patidar lost their ninth wicket with the score on 101 and, amid growing tension, the last pair inched towards the target. But Pete Sharpe took the vital wicket to clinch Birstall's win.

Woodhouse were four-wicket winners over Broughton Astley.

Simon Larke hit 76 not out in Broughton's 185-8 with Andy Stovell and Angelo Kidd taking 3-40 and 3-34 respectively.

The issue was still in the balance when Woodhouse reached 104-5 in reply. But James Simpson (24) and Mike Newbold (39 not out) steered them home.

Birstall travel to Woodhouse on Saturday for what could be a crucial clash.

Bharat Sports battled to a four-wicket win over Huncote.

Seamer Pritesh Patel claimed 5-17 as Huncote were bowled out for 97.

Prashant Patel (44 not out) led the home side's successful run chase.

Bowlers held the upper hand at Ethel Road where Newbold Verdon beat Leicester Caribbeans by four wickets.

Caribbeans were bowled out for 111 with opening bowler Luke Dyke taking 4-25 and left-arm spinner Huw Davies 3-3 off four overs.

Matt Gransden (42) and Gareth Bell (40 not out) were the mainstays of the Newbold reply.

Burton-on-the-Wolds opener Gary Moore hit 107 not out but finished on the losing side.

Burton totalled 182-5 in their 45 overs with Appleby Magna's Dominic Mirner taking 4-34.

Opener Mal Walster (66 not out) and Chaz Robey (58 not out) guided Appleby to their target in the 41st over.

Twycross were four-wicket winners at Wigston.

Mike Dunkley hit 74 as Wigston scored 189 with seamer Keiron Mulholland taking 3-48 and wrist-spinner Mark Allman 4-35.

Jamie Moore cracked 49 and Michael Pope 42 for Twycross before Jordan Lee followed up a good bowling spell with 28 not out to clinch victory.