Cropston 2nds move into mid-table safety after Hinckley win

WITH Cropston first team rained off last Saturday at Hinckley Town, attention turned to Cropston 2nds home fixture with Hinckley Amateurs 2nds, both teams needing points to draw clear of the relegation zone.

The match was reduced to 41 overs a side due to a rain delay.

Cropston batted first and Daniel Hickinbottom and David Allen put on 35 for the first wicket, then three wickets fell quickly reducing Cropston to 37 for the loss of three wickets. This brought together captain Ross Marshall and Alex Thompson who together put on 100 for the fourth wicket, Marshall scoring mainly in singles to give Thompson the strike he was run out for 29, Thompson top scored with 72. Cameo innings followed by Simon Rolington 22 and Bradley Peake 16 to take the score to 195 for the loss of seven wickets from 41 overs.

Cropstons opening bowlers Ian Cooper and 15-year-old Sion Khalifa bowled an excellent line and length to pin down the Hinckley openers. Cooper returning figures of 11 overs, three maid- ens, 0 wicket for 23 and Khalifa five overs, one maiden, 0 wicket for 15, together bowling 16 overs for 38 runs,putting Hinckley behind the clock.

They were further tied down by Daniel Hickinbottom bowling 10 overs for 31 runs and David Allen eight overs for 27 runs.

From their 41 overs Hinckley posted a score of 116 for the loss of five wickets, Cropston taking 18 points from this winning draw. With one week left in the season Cropston move to mid-table safety on 259 points.