Cropston leave it late

ON Saturday Cropston travelled to bowled a tight over and with eight Oakham for the turnaround fixture runs needed from the final over of the season still being top of the Steve Punchard brought back league by a single point. opening bowler Tom Palmer, the

Cropston batted first and from batting hero of the last ball win at their 45 overs posted a score of 211 Earl Shilton, who had yet to take a for the loss of 8 wickets. the innings wicket. was held together by captain SteThe batsmen attempted to hit ven Punchard going in at number the ball over the top but running 4 together with Sam Hickinbottom catches in the deep by Joe Pollard (28) put together a partnership of and two by Punchard took 101. Other contributions were Oakham to 9 wickets down. With from Dan Hickinbottom 20, Ross the final ball of the match to be Wormleighton 16 and Max Lewin bowled and four runs needed to 20. Punchard went on to top score win Palmer caught and bowled the with 75 following on from his cenlast man. Oakham being bowled tury last week. out for 207, Palmer returning fig

In reply, Oakham made steady ures of 12 overs 4 wickets for 45 progress and after 20 overs had runs. reached 83 for the loss of 2 wickets. Another down to the wire last Their innings progressed to 197 for over win for Cropston, still keeping the loss of 7 wickets with two overs them top of the league by one to bowl. Sam Hickinbottom point from Rothley.

Cropston U13s: Back row from left to right: Danny Brewin, Charley Dickerson, Aidan Bonsall (captain), Jack Cross, James Mulligan, Joe Chapman, Dave Jones (coach), Dan Cluskey, Eddy York. Front row kneeling (left to right): Jaiden Patel, Josh Fitzpatrick, Charlie Cross, Alfie Underwood.