The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Peterborough send out a big statement
Peterborough Town made a giant stride towards a fourth successive Northants Premier Division title by winning at the home of their keenest rivals.
The city side’s eight-wicket success at last season’s runners-up was a statement victory for a club who made a clean sweep of all the major county trophies last season.
It was a tale of two highclass centruries with Josh Smith’s unbeaten 120 for Town trumping the undefeated 125 posted by Finedon opener Callum Berrill. Berrill’s brilliance boosted the home side from 26-3 to 215-8 in their 50 overs.
But Smith added 50 for the second wicket with skipper David Clarke (29) before dominating an unbroken third wicket stand of 145 with Sulemain Saleem who finished unbeaten on 54. Smith faced 128 balls and struck 24 boundaries as Town eased home with almost six overs to spare.
Returning all-rounder Danny Mohammed bagged two early wickets for Town and ended up with three wickets as did Mark Edwards. Smith started a wonderful day by collecting two wickets.
Town host Overstone Park at Bretton Gate on Saturday. Overstone were beaten by six wickets by Oundle Town last weekend thanks mainly to a fine all-round display from Conor Craig. Craig bagged 3-35 as Overstone were dismissed for 161 and then cracked 63 from just 55 balls (11 fours, one six). Opener Sam Jarvis, a summer transfer from Peterborough Town, finished unbeaten on 52, a first half century at this level.
Peterborough Town also made a winning start in the defence of their Rutland Division One title. They beat City CC by 176 runs after amassing 352-7 in their 45 overs.
New skipper Kyle Medcalf
cracked 108 from 90 balls with 14 fours and a six. The captain put on a rapid 141 for the first wicket with Balaji Ganesan (63).
Nick Paskins (58) and Scott Howard (44no) also scored at better than a run a ball.
Former Town player Mohammed Saif top scored for City with 66 as his side replied with 176 all out. Paskins took 3-10 in just two overs, while Karapal Singh, Zoheb Fazil and Mohammed Qadir all picked up two wickets..