First win of season comes in derby clash
HINCKLEY Town’s seven match losing streak came to an end when they beat Earl Shilton Town at home by five wickets.
The bottom of the table clash was a must win game for both sides who have struggled to find form this season.
Hinckley won the game with two innings to spare after Earl Shilton spectacularly fell apart following the sixth wicket.
The home side won the toss and put Earl Shilton into bat first.
The visitors started strongly with 43 in six overs before Shajeel Butt was bowled out by Alem Mamood for 29.
A partnership between Ned Eckersley and Hass Ali took the score onto a promising 131 in the 24th over.
Ali was caught out by captain Craig Crowe for 54, following the bowling of Carl Crowe.
Earl Shilton continued strongly with 208 for five in the 38th over with a fifth wicket stand of 61 between Liam Phillips and Eckersley.
But when Phillips went for 38, followed quickly by Eckersley for 66, Earl Shilton fell apart.
With the score on 211 for six, the visitors managed just 20 runs before being bowled out for 231 in the 44th over.
This gave Hinckley an extra six overs to bat which was to prove crucial.
Carl Crowe and Valand both took three wickets each for the hosts.
In reply, Hinckley reached 38 in the 13th over when captain Crowe was run out for 26.
After 25 overs Hinckley had only scored 74 for three and looked to be in trouble.
But a stand of 92 between Ben Coddington and Carl Crowe turned the match around.
Crowe was out for 52 with the score on 166-4 in the 46th over and Coddington for 84 - his best innings of the season - took the score onto 215 for five.
Mahmood scored 36 to win the game with two overs to spare.
The clash saw Hinckley gain 25 points and Earl Shilton seven.
Next week Hinckley play Leicester Ivanhoe at home, while Earl Shilton host Market Harborough.