Park pull off a big upset with win at Alfreton
TOM Fern and Andrew Goodwin paved the way for Lullington Park to pull off a big upset with a stunning nine-wicket victory away to Derbyshire County League Division One leaders Alfreton.
Left-arm seam bowler Fern took 6-58 as Alfreton, with former Leicestershire batsman Tom New in sparkling form, made 233-9 - a total they expected to comfortably defend against a Park side whose batting has all too often been frail.
Not this time, however, as an unbroken second-wicket stand of 209 between Karl Birkenstock (73 not out) and Goodwin (120 not out) powered them to a fourth victory of the season with four overs to spare.
Fern trapped Jonathan Woolley early on but the stylish, patient New kept the total moving, driving a dozen boundaries in his 86 as he provided a solid base to various partnerships.
Park skipper Luke Jenkinson rang the changes in his attack and the introduction of Paul Dawson’s spin soon paid dividends as he ended a 59-run second-wicket partnership by having Elliott Savidge caught by Sam Eaton for 27.
There was no respite for the visitors as Joe New joined Tom, making 24 in a 73-run stand that had Park on the defensive, prompting the return of Fern.
Joe New, on 24, snicked one through to wicketkeeper Harry Allsop and then Jake Simpson, having made 15, went the same way as Fern bagged his third scalp. Dawson (2-48) bowled Muhammed Rameez and then ran out Kieran Platford with a direct hit with a throw from the deep to make it 210-6.
Tom New though was still there but as he attempted a reverse sweep on 86, Fern bowled him. When he had both Jack Robbins and James Aldis leg before without scoring, Fern ended his 15-over stint with 6-58.
Eaton gave Park a speedy start with three fours and a six from the dozen balls he faced before he was caught by Savidge at 26-1.
Goodwin, at that point, had scored six as he and Birkenstock began building a match-winning partnership.
Alfreton tried six bowlers as they worked to contain the run flow, with Goodwin taking charge in dominant style. Driving hard, he hammered 19 fours and three sixes in a best of the season 120 not out.
Birkenstock struck eight fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 73 as Park romped to a much-needed victory, despite which they remain third from bottom.