Quorn cannot finish higher than fifth now

QUORN travelled to League leaders Shree Sanatan through torrential downpours, but when they arrived the sun was out and play was possible almost immediately.

With an eye on the weather, Quorn captain Andy Kenneth, won the toss and decided to bowl. Andy Stovel (1-32) struck an early blow, having Pratik Desai caught at slip by Richard Sharp for just six. Stovel, bowling with Jack Child (2-40) were able to keep control of the scoring initially as the batsmen struggled to come to terms with a swinging ball and a very lush and damp out field.

However, as the innings progressed the Shree Sanatan batsmen started to play with more urgency, lofting the ball over the outfield and by the time Child struck in the 20th over, the score was 78-3. Mayur Chauhan (61) and Mayur Rao (65) came together and immediately started to put the Quorn attack to the sword. No bowler was exempt from the punishment they handed out, hitting with great power into the surrounding fields.

Whilst most hitting was rather agricultural and square of the wicket, the largest six of the eight struck in the innings was meted out by Chauhan, striking Will Huish straight back over his head into the road, just missing a passing car. Huish (2-47) soon had his revenge, removing Chauhan’s off stump. The partnership between Chauhan and Rao put on 119 runs in just 16 overs, putting Shree Sanatan on target for a big score. Further big hitting enabled the home side to declare their innings after just 39 overs, with the score at 217-6.

Unfortunately for Quorn, the ominous black storm clouds which had built up to surround the ground during the first innings, decided to shed their rain in a powerful 20-minute downpour during tea. And although the wicket was unaffected, the outfield became even heavier and boundaries became a rarity.

Tom Errington, continuing his recent spell of good form got the Quorn innings off to a brisk start, striking a lively 27 ball 25. But when Mayur Rao (2-13) bowled Andy Kenneth for four and persuaded the umpire to raise his finger after his third consecutive LBW appeal to remove Chris Cooper for a duck, Quorn were in trouble at 40-4. Richard Cooper (34) and Bill Reynolds (14) put on 32 for the fifth wicket, But Chohan bowled Reynolds off the inside edge leaving Quorn on a precarious 72-5. Although there was another brief downpour which reduced Quorn’s overs to 48, they were never really in the hunt and it came as little surprise that their innings folded to leave them 102 all out.

This defeat means that Quorn cannot finish higher than their current fifth position, but they will hope to end the season on a high note when they welcome Leicester Ivanhoe, who they last played way back on the opening day of the season.