Village cup win for Cropston ...but defeat for the 2nd XI

ON Sunday Cropston entertained the village of Lubenham who after five years had won their first game and were through to the second round of the Village Cup for the first time.

This being a 40 over winner take all game, Cropston captain Ian Allen won the toss and invited Lubenham to bat.

They lost wickets at regular intervals, their innings was held together by opener Jordan May who carried his bat for 83 not out, Lubenham were bowled out for a total of 144 in 33 overs, the wickets being shared between the five bowlers used by Cropston.

In reply Daniel Hickinbottom gave Cropston a flying start with a quick fire 30, including seven fours to put them ahead of the run rate required. Hero of the first innings Jordan May then came on to bowl first change and took two wickets. He became difficult to score off, numbers 3 and 6 for Cropston Ross Marshall and Saga Pandya used the tactic of blocking out May and scoring at the other end, together they put on 49 runs, May being removed for the attack by this tactic.

Marshall was dismissed for 20 and Pandya for 18. This brought to the wicket Ian Allen who with four fours and a six took Cropston over the wining line. He was supported by veteran Simon Rolington who remained six not out from 12 balls giving Allen valuable support.

An excellent game of village cricket played in the spirit of the game with both teams sat in the evening sun after the game with cold beers and the youngsters playing on the out field. KIBWORTH captain Luke Spence won his first toss of the season and invited Cropston 2nd XI to bat on which turned out to be a green seaming wicket.

The bowlers took charge from the start and Cropston lost early wickets and were reduced to 52 for the loss of 4 wickets in the 16th over.Coming in at number 5 Joseph Pollard took the attack to the bowlers scoring 54 including nine fours before being caught in the gully off the bowling of Olly Lodge. A batting collapse then followed and Cropston were bowled out for 111 in 32 overs.

The Kibworth innings started badly with veteran Raja Hyatt falling to an excellent catch in the covers by Sam Hickinbottom from the bowling of Alfie Loakes for 0. As in the Cropston innings wickets fell at regular intervals,in the 39th over their score stood at 93 for the loss of 9 wickets.This brought to the wicket Kibworth number 11 Ollie Lodge to join veteran Russell Spiers who had batted three overs for one run.

Kibworth edged closer to the Cropston score with the scores tied and tension mounting, Lodge took the bull by the horns and hit a six over square leg to give Kibworth victory by one wicket.