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Mercury Martch reports from the 27th June

Thu 2nd July 2009

Premier Division 1st and 2nd play each other , with Woodhouse eaves winning a thrilling game.

Woodhouse Eaves took over from Birstall Village at the top of the Premier Division by beating them in a thrilling finish.

At the start of the final over, Woodhouse needed four to win with two wickets left.

The issue was decided when Mark Newbold cracked Julian Saye's second delivery to the boundary.

Woodhouse won the toss and fielded first. Birstall opener Andy Galpin hit 33 and skipper Dave Sharpe 59 as the home side totalled 175-7 from their 45 overs.

Seamers Sam Skeet (3-32) and Angelo Kidd (2-38) and off-spinner Brett Collins (2-52) helped to keep it tight.



Skeet (30) and Nick Collins (33) put Woodhouse in a strong position at 91-2, but Josh Saye (3-36), Pete Sharpe (2-24) and Andy Galpin (2-21) kept Birstall in the game. The issue was really in the balance when Woodhouse slipped to 152-7, but Newbold (20 not out) had the last word.

Woodhouse have 198 points to Birstall's 192 and Wigston are third on 162 after just holding on for a losing draw against visitors Newbold Verdon.

Opener Mark Wilkinson cracked 71 and Gareth Bell 51 not out as Newbold hurried to 251-5.

Jason Helmn (33) and Paul Newnham (43) gave Wigston a sound start to their reply, but wrist-spinner Mark Bird claimed 4-47 from 12 overs and seamer Jon Healey 3-15 from five as Wigston hit problems.

Michael Dunkley dug in for 24 not out before Healey took the ninth wicket with the first ball of the last over.

However, Ben Ashton survived the last five deliveries as Wigston clung on at 175-9.

Burton-on-the-Wolds edged home by four wickets against Leuva Patidar, leap-frogging them into third-from-bottom spot. Rohit Suhkla (31) and Sandeep Patel (69) steered the home side to 179 all out in the 43rd over, with Rob Dunn claiming 5-43.

New opener Ali Love gave Burton a flying start with 39 off 31 deliveries before Ross Deabill (46 not out) and Paul Blount added 102 for the third wicket.

Wickets started to fall, but Deabill made sure Burton reached their target in the 42nd over.

Runs were at a premium at Davenport Road, where Appleby Magna won by three wickets against Bharat Sports, with only four batsmen reaching double figures.

Rain reduced the match to 41 overs a side and Dharmesh Patel led the way on 30 in the hosts' 104. Left-arm seamers Matt Richardson (5-21) and Richard Lidster (5-27) caused plenty of problems.

Opener Nigel Hughes held the Appleby reply together but, when he was seventh out for 40, 18 were still needed. However, Richardson and Lidster took their side to victory.

Andy Scott cracked his seventh half-century in eight innings as Twycross beat Broughton Astley by five wickets.

Ross Blockley scored 71 but seamer Neil Alexander's 5-41 held the home side to 159-6.

Scott, batting at No.3, then scored 91 not out, finishing the match with a straight six.

Huncote sealed a 13-run win over Leicester Caribbeans with three balls to spare.

James Swann (89), Ian Crossley (53) and Tim Kirby (40) steered Huncote to 229-6.

Kirby took five wickets and Wayne Smith three as Huncote bowled out Caribbeans for 216 despite Akeel Jaral hitting 91.