Quorn drop to sixth after league defeat

DESPITE two 30 point wins on the previous two Saturdays, there was still concern regarding the Quorn batting.

Trying to address this, on winning the toss, Quorn captain Andy Kenneth chose to bat and the Maher Stars opening pace bowlers bowled accurately giving Quorn openers Richard Cooper and Kenneth himself little to hit.

The wicket which appeared firm and true actually produced some uneven bounce, which made the batsmen wary of playing their shots. Although Cooper fell early, Kenneth and Richard Sharp batted doggedly, putting on 52 runs, before Sharp was needlessly run out. Chris Cooper joined Kenneth and proceeded to play an uncharacteristically circumspect innings. The Stars introduced spin after 14 overs and Sanjay (3-39) soon induced a false shot from Kenneth who mistimed a drive to cover. Andy Stovel (10) looked short of his best form, but nonetheless helped Cooper to put on 49 for the fourth wicket. With 10 overs remaining Quorn had reached 1224, when Cooper, looking to accelerate the scoring rate, holed out to mid wicket, Having made 33. Will Huish helped Quorn to achieve a respectable total, making a brisk 32 and supported by Dominic Watts (17 not out) Quorn eventually reached 173-7.

The Stars opening batsmen Keshu (32) and Kirit set off as if they needed to reach their target in 20 overs. Kirit especially batted as if he had a train to catch. He was especially savage on opening bowlers, Ross and Tom Errington, whose six over opening spell went for 52 runs. Eventually Kirit fell to an astounding, acrobatic catch by Huish at mid-wicket, having made a spectacular 51-ball 64. However, the damage had been done and although Andy Kenneth (3-31) took two wickets with successive deliveries, the Stars were not deterred and it was left to Prabhav (23) to guide the visitors home with 13 and a half overs remaining.

This defeat sees Quorn drop to sixth place in the league and next week they travel to Enderby, who are just one place above them. This game will give the Quorn batsmen an opportunity to show that they are capable of achieving maximum batting points. a feat they have not achieved since the opening game of the season.