Cropston slip to their first defeat of the campaign

ON Saturday Cropston entertained Rothley at the Keith Jackson Memorial Ground, Cropston captain Steve Punchard won the toss and elected to bat.

Cropston lost an early wicket Max Lewin caught at the wicket off the bowling of Mo Khan for 2. Number 3 Joe Pollard and Ross Wormleighton put on 40 for the second wicket with Pollard falling to the bowling of Phil Hackett for 13.

The major partnership for Cropston then took place between Ross Wormleighton 50 and Steve Punchard 79, the Hickinbottom brothers Dan and Sam both scored 16. From their 45 overs Cropston posted a score of 211 for the loss of 7 wickets.

The pick of the Rothley bowlers Phil Hackett who bowled 10 overs for an excellent return of 1 wicket for 25 runs.

The Rothley openers A Sheikh and I Karim put on 47 for the first wicket many of which were extras due to wayward bowling, Alfie Loakes bowling with pace and swing from the Waterfield Road end removed I Karim 7 and Richard Williams 4 both caught at the wicket by Max Lewin.

A mini collapse followed and Rothley slumped to 101 for the loss of 5 wickets but a major partnership then took place between Jack Hesketh not out 57 and Phil De Freitas not out 49 to see Rothley to victory in the 39th over. A major contribution to the win being 43 extras given away the Cropston bowlers.

A first defeat for Cropston this season who still remain top of the league as Newtown Linford also lost their first game of the season.