Hickinbottom steers Cropston to victory with invaluable 77

SILEBY 2nd XI’s captain Micky Ruddle won the toss and invited Cropston to bat in Saturday’s clash.

Bowling from the field end Steve Ingram found swing and bounce and soon dismissed Ethan Hawkins and Max Lewin, both without troubling the scorers.

Cropston opener Ross Wormleighton battled away against Ingram for 70 minutes facing 61 balls, using up vital overs in his spell and protecting the batsmen at the other end, before Ingram bowled Wormleighton for 24, taking 3-19.

With Ingram bowled out, Ruddle was forced to use his back up bowlers and with the score standing at 48-3. a platform was set for Cropston captain for the day Steve Punchard and number 5 Daniel Hickinbottom to take the attack to Sileby.

The pair put on 132 runs in 22 overs, Punchard making 77 with 8 fours and 3 sixes, Hickinbottom making 75 with 8 fours and one 6 as Cropston posted a score of 208 for the loss of 6 wickets.

Sileby openers Joe Charity and Brady Glennon put on 40 runs in 9 overs, before Cropston opening bowler Alfie Loakes then cleaned bowled Glennon for 18.

Stand in opening bowler Justin Earl then dismissed Yates and Josh Winterton both without scoring and after 24 overs the Sileby score stood at 86-4.

With Charity standing firm at one end Cropston looked to attack the other end, Sam Gale scored a quickfire 28 he was then caught at the wicket by Max Lewin from the bowling of Daniel Hickinbottom.

Two more wickets then fell to him in quick time Mickey Ruddle caught and bowled for 12 and Chris Trevis caught at first slip by Punchard first ball, Charity could only stand at the other end and watch.

The game turned in Cropston’s favour when number 10 Ingram turned the ball to square leg and started to run - he was sent back, a wayward throw was gathered at first slip by Punchard who sprinted in and removed a bail with Ingram short of his ground.

With the 42nd over about to be bowled 24 runs were needed for victory and Charity was on strike 78 not out having batted throughout the innings.

Opening bowler Alfie Loakes returned to the attack with his first ball Charity drove the ball into the covers only for Jamie Torrance to make a diving catch inches from the ground, Sileby all out for 185.

A welcome 30 points for Cropston moves them into mid table, with several of the missing players returning next week for a home fixture against Uppingham Town.