Table toppers push each other hard in local derby

WITH the added spice of a top-of-the-table clash Hinckley Amateur and Barwell fought it out in a derby at Ashby Road.

Amateur won the toss and decided to bat, but Barwell held the early advantage with tight bowling.

Openers Jason Tipping and Jamie HarrisEnsor went to good balls from Ben Betteridge and Liam O’Rourke, Ed Proctor was caught on some the boundary, Shoab Dadu and Sam Smart were then bowled by Ady Baker and the Amateurs were in trouble at 72-5.

They were rescued by a sixth wicket stand of 92

Hinckley Times Sport: Call 01455 891965 or email hinckleytimes@ trinitymirror.com £1 between skipper Alan York and Andy Wainscot as they turned the match in Amateur’s favour.

O’Rourke finally bowled Wainscot for 52.

James Axon with a quickfire 28 added another 66 with York who perished going for quick runs with a superb 81.

A flurry of late wickets saw the Amateurs bowled out for an impressive 243 in the final over.

Liam 0’Rourke was pick of the bowlers with 4-50 and the ever reliable Ady Baker 3-26, Dec Allen taking three good catches.

Barwell put on a solid 36 for the opening wicket before Ady Baker was caught by York for 12 and Guy Norris followed shortly after when he was bowled for 28, both wickets bowled by Ash Harrison.

Darren Roach and Clint Baker took the score to 116 before Roach who had hit two big sixes was caught and bowled by Mick Butterworth for 30.

Clint Baker was the next to fall caught in the deep by Sam Smart off a York ball for a well crafted 55 as Barwell slipped to 146-6.

With the rate creeping up to over 10 an over Tommy Wright (28 not out) and Dec Allen (17 not out) settled for a draw.

Alan York used all his bowlers to try and winkle out another wicket but with the Amateurs taking 19 points and Barwell 10 they both had to settle for a draw.

It was a super game and a great advert for local cricket in front of a large crowd.

Amateur 2nd XI had the disappointment of losing off the penultimate ball at Ibstock.

The home side were bowled out for 230 as Matt Smith took three wickets and two each for Steve Proctor, Paul Ensor and Ash Woodward.

Gareth Patterson, with a superb 69 was the pick of the batsmen, Steve Mustin (23), Gary Roach (26), and Sam Rowe (19) gave him good support as the Amateurs looked set to pick up a fine win, but a flurry of late wickets saw the Amateurs holding on until skipper Smith was caught with 15 needed for victory

Amateur 3rd XI picked up a fine win at Charnwood Old Boys.

Ben Young with 4-30, Cliff Pardoe 2-33 and Haj Gill with two superb caught and bowled restricted the opponents to 96 all out.

Owen Green, 14, continued his fine season with 27 and Ken Burke with an unbeaten 32 saw the Amateurs home by three wickets.

This Friday the Amateur Under15 play their County cup semi- final at Ashby Road v Houghton and Thurnby, 6pm start.

The club is organising a BBQ and everyone welcome to see the area’s best young cricketers try and reach the county final.