Town take the win in local derby with Amateurs

TOWN comprehensively beat rivals Amateur in the local derby at Leicester Road.

Rain delayed the start and drove the players off after just one over, when play resumed it reduced the game to 36 overs a side and Town got off to a strong start. Michael Cook and Hermat Garesh(18) had an opening partnership at a run a ball.

Janak Valand and Cook kept the pace up before Cook was out one short of his half century with Valand following shortly after for a well hit 56, both wickets falling to Mick Butterworth, Amateur pulled the score back as Town batsmen perished in search of quick runs as they finished with a competitive 187-9.

Amateur got off to a poor start with Jason Tipping out in the first over and slumped to 30-4 with 2 wickets each for Sonia Odedra and R Bagaria. Alan York and James Axon raised hopes with 24 each but the Town ripped through the later order with 2 wickets for Janek Valand and Aryan Bangar as they bowled the Amateur out for a disappointing 98.

Next week Town have another local derby at Earl Shilton whilst Amateur travel to Enderby.

Amateur 2nd put up a spirited performance against league leaders City Cricketers but went down by 6 wickets. David Grove after a long injury lay off top scored with a fine 83 as Amateur were bowled out for 167. Amateur bowled well as the visitors lost 4 wickets but the classy batsmen won the game in the 32nd over

Amateur 3rd pulled off a fine win at Hathern. Cliff Pardoe took 3 wickets and tight bowling restricted the home side to 153-8. Nigel Hind led the reply with a big hitting 43 before Josh Lee and Ian Short got a the side home by 6 wickets.

Better day for Amateur on Sunday as they reached the final of the county cup beating Lougborough Town by 25 runs.

Ed Proctor got the innings off to a flying start with 43 off just 23 balls, but then a superb 110 run partnership between Shoyab Dadu (32) and Alan York kept the rate going quickly. Wayne Sylvester with 29, and York who got his ton in the last over finished on 104 not out, rattling up 273-5 in there 40 overs.

Loughborough got off to a good start. Shyam Patel with 100 and Will Wright 66 led the reply and a tight finish looked in prospect but at 213 -4 a double wicket maiden by Gareth Patterson turned the game. Patterson finished with 4-27 as Loughborough were bowled out for 248 in the 38th over in a superb game of local cricket