The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Only Oundle get the weekend runs
RUTLAND LEAGUE
OUNDLE bucked the trend of low weekend scores on their way to a resounding Division One win over Market Overton yesterday.
Few local teams managed to reach three figures on some tricky, wet wickets, but Oundle piled up 207-9 in 40 overs to set up a 133-run win.
Top knock came from South African import Petrus Jeftha who clubbed 92. Fellow newcomer Alex Martin weighed in with the second top score of 30.
The match was reduced to 40 overs a side because of a communication problem with the match umpires, only one of whom arrived, and he was late.
But it made no odds to Oundle who stay top after rushing Overton out for just 74. Jeftha confirmed his man-of-the-match award with two wickets and a catch, but bowling honours were taken by youngsters Callum Neeter and Jack Roberts who each claimed three wickets.
Second spot in this early stage of the competition is held by Finedon who saw off March Town with a minimum of fuss.
Only Jamie Stimson reached double figures for March who were shot out for 61, but they did take six wickets before Finedon clinched their low scoring win.
Aussie Ryan Meyer picked up three of them at a cost of eight runs.
Peterborough Town entertained Nassington on the same Bretton Gate batting track that saw 15 wickets fall for just 61 runs 24 hours earlier.
And it was almost just as difficult. Nassington recovered from 29-7 to post 55 all out thanks to the efforts of Kasim Ikhlaq and James Trafford, but David Clarke’s unbeat- en 30 saw Town home for the loss of just one wicket in just 10 overs.
Pace ace Jamie Smith (4-22) had a few Nassington batsmen hopping about on a slow surface before Leicestershire Academy off-spinner Rob Sayer picked up three cheap victims.
The reigning champions have now won both of their completed league matches to move onto the heels of the top two.
Best game of the day took place at Uppingham where the home side triumphed over Stamford by just one wicket.
Stamford’s 132 was a massive score in the context of this weekend and it looked like being a winning total when Uppingham still required 18 with their last pair together.
But somehow, and despite number 11 Scott Green failing to trouble the scorers, Uppingham edged home to the dismay of Steve Armstrong, who took 4-22 for the losers. Liam Dave had top scored with 39 for Stamford, while Tom Perchard (28) and Tim Juggins (23) also made useful contributions.