Hinckley earn 12 points to secure fifth spot as season ends

IN THE last game of the season, Hinckley Town visited Cropston who needed to win to secure promotion and they achieved their aim by beating Hinckley by 12 runs. Cropston won the toss and chose to bat although they lost the wicket of Kent with the score on 19 Lewin and Pollard took the score on to 81 for the 2nd wicket.

Then Lewin was caught of the bowling of Pasi for 23.

At the half way stage of 22 overs Cropston were 105 for 3.

A fifth wicket stand of 51 between captain Steve Punchard and Dan Hickinbottom helped Cropston’s cause taking them to 162 when Punchard was bowled by Khan for 21 leaving them 162 for 5. This became 162 for 6, Wormleighton being lbw to Valand for 0.

Dan Hickinbottom was Croptons top scorer with 46 and was 9th out with the score on 216.

The hosts finished on 217 for 9 after 43 overs - twoovers being lost to rain and the teams taking an early tea at 2.45pm.

This meant Hinckley’s innings was also reduced to 43 overs and their innings revolved around opener Amit Pasi who was 4th out for 69 leaving Hinckley 113 for 4. This soon became 138 for 6.

A seventh wicket stand between Kelker and Akib gave Hinckley hope .

Akib was bowled by Sam Hickinbottom for 30 with the score on 184 for 7 and Hinckley slipped to 207 all out.

Kelker remained 34 not out with both Hickinbottom brothers taking three wickets each for Cropston.

Cropston gained 25 points and were promoted. Although Hinckley lost they still got 12 points leaving them a creditable 5th in division 1.

This is some performance considering they were 2nd bottom half way through the season. Hinckleys 2nd team also had a good season finishing 3rd in division three and only missing promotion by two points.