Shepshed win to maintain title bid
SHEPSHED did not hang around on Saturday with a nine wicket win over Barkby 2nd XI which keeps them second in the Division Three of the Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League.
Barkby batting first were up against it from the start with Tom Parker taking 6 for 42 in a superb spell of bowling - there were also wickets for Adam Clapton 2-13 and a wicket a piece for Alec Williams and Paul Felton.
Barkby struggled as the wickets tumbled throughout their innings and were eventually all out for 124 in just 30 overs which was perfect timing for everyone to watch the England game.
After watching England, the Shepshed batsman wasted no time in getting this game done and dusted and in just 14 overs Shepshed had won the match with Andrew Gibson 16 the only wicket to fall. Calum Doyle hit 60 not out and Matt Taylor 37 not out to secure the points and victory.
A great all round team performance by Shepshed who have another home game next week against Melton Mowbray.
Shepshed 2nd XI travelled to Newbold Verdon 2nd XI in what turned out to be a close affair Newbold batted first and scored 169 with Chris Burton taking 4-33 and youngster Luke Spielman 3-11 the pick of the Shepshed bowlers.
There was also a stunning catch from Michael Gibson who defied his years to hold on to the ball that was smashed from the Newbold batsman’s bat with ease.
Shepshed set about the Newbold bowlers with Adam Bowley top scoring with 37 and Chris Gibson 34 along with contributions from Joe Goy 33 and Mark Bonam 31 and with 22 from Luke Rayson-Flynn the game was heading for a close finish.
In the end it came down to the last over and it was Shepshed who came through to take the win as the third ball of the last over was hit to the boundary for the four to complete a Shepshed win finishing on 173 for 6 - a win that takes Shepshed to sixth in the table.