Shepshed maintain promotion push with win over Ratby
SHEPSHED maintained their drive for promotion with victory over bottom the table Ratby.
Ratby were bowled out for 191 with Paul Felton the star with the ball taking 4-40 and youngster Harry Sloan taking 2-29.
In reply Shepshed set about the Ratby bowling and although they lost a couple of wickets it was Karl Shaw 67 not out and Alec Williams 62 not out who saw Shepshed home finishing on 192 for 2 to consolidate their place in second place, just 14 points behind leaders Ashby and with an away game next week against third from bottom Barwell the title race is still wide open.
Shepshed 2nd XI travelled to Twycross 1st XI and were involved in a thriller.
Twycross batting first scored 280 for 9 with Matt Johns taking 4 for 45 and Mark Bonam 2 for 41 the pick of the bowlers.
In reply Shepshed set about their task in some style with captain Chris Gibson scoring 119 in a superb display of batting backed up with a fine 61 by Dave Kershaw the two of them smashing the ball to all parts of the Twycross ground backed up with 21 from Paul Myers and 14 from Mark Bonam a close finish was on the cards and that was the case but for Shepshed it was not to be falling just 10 runs short in this very entertaining match.
Shepshed 3rds had a day to forget against City Cricketers 1sts who could easily play at an higher level as they were bowled out for just 83.
Shepshed at one point were 40 for 0 but on the day City Cricketers were just to strong and reached their target with ease finishing on 87 for 2.
Shepshed 4th xi returned to action after a number of weeks without a game with an emphatic win against Queniborough 4ths.
Queniborough batted first but were bowled out for 186 with Paul Oliver spinning his way to 4-34 and 16-yearold Max Bailess Ford 3-19.
In reply Shepshed eased to victory without losing a wicket as Phil Shaw rolling back the years with 89 not out and Max Bailess Ford now staring with the bat 71 not out saw Shepshed reach their target finishing on 188 for 0 with both batsman receiving a standing ovation for their superb displays of batting in a brilliant 10 wicket win for Shepshed.