Payne steadies the ship to help steer Town to victory

EARL Shilton won the toss and decided to bowl first on a green looking wicket.

Despite the early loss of Kindlesides, bowled to a delivery from Verow that seemed to bamboozle the batsman, Sileby progressed to 136-3 with plenty of overs left to build a challenging score.

The Earl Shilton bowlers were guilty of bowling too many wides and struggling to bowl tightly at both ends.

The home side ended up on 225-7 off their 45 overs with Winterton top scoring with 57.

In terms of the standout bowling performance from Earl Shilton, Crouch returned excellent figures of 2-33 from his 12 overs.

In reply Town got off to the worse possible start, losing three quick wickets and being 29-3 and then 59-4 when Shah(14) departed.

However, Captain Payne led from the front and hit an excellent 92 to take the Town to the verge of victory.

Payne was ably supported by Lester (25), Fitt (20) and Singh (13) towards the latter stages of the innings.

A nervy finish ensued as Payne held out in the deep looking to ensure a more comfortable end to the game for the visitors.

It was Crouch and Potter who saw Town home to victory in the last over with one ball remaining and a valuable second win in a row.

The 1st team welcome Cropston CC to Keats Lane on Saturday looking to make it a hat trick of wins.

Earl Shilton 2nds played host to Cropston CC 2nds at Keats Lane on Saturday.

Earl Shilton Town made 151-10 in their 45 overs having been asked to bat by the vistors with club stalwart and captain Richard Longdon top scoring with 45.

In reply the visitors eased to a six-wicket victory with Robertson 54 not out.

The 2nd team visit Market Bosworth on Saturday.