Town start with an easy win at the Gate

Peterborough Town enjoyed a comfortable start to their Northants Premier Division season with a six-wicket win over Kislingbury Temperance at bitterly cold Bretton Gate.

It was a solid all-round display under new skipper Nick Green. The visitors were dismissed for 152 from the final ball of their 50-over allocation, a total Town passed with 16 overs to spare.

Green was rewarded for his selection of teenage leg spinner Rohan Kundaje ahead of more experienced performers as the former Stamford School student picked up 4-23 in 12 overs.

Aussie off-spinner Lachie McMillan chipped in with 3-31 on his Town debut, while veteran seamer Bashrat Hussain delivered a miserly spell of 2-24 from 11 overs.

New vice-captain Dan Costello collected the other wicket as Town worked steadily through the Kislingbury batting order after an opening stand of 57.

Town lost two wickets in quick succession after a steady start of their own but Green and Zeeshan Manzoor saw the city side home.

Manzoor, who had a lean time with the bat last season, continued a blistering personal start to this summer by following a rapid century in a pre-season friendly against Northants Academy with a 34-ball knock of 43 not out that included four sixes.

Green scored at almost a run-a-ball and struck seven fours and a six in his 43.

OUNDLE TOWN CC

Oundle Town, who finished above their big city neighbours for the first time last season, started their 2024 campaign with a highscoring draw at Desborough.

Billy Amas smacked 59 from 48 balls (five sixes) as Oundle recovered from 122-5 to 274 all-out. Debutant Sam Battan weighed in with a useful 41.

Home opener Iszak Milentis struck a ton, but was never going at a pace quick enough to threaten an upset victory.

Former skipper Tommy Simeons bagged 4-57 as Desborough closed on 220-7 despite batting for five more overs than Oundle.

Oundle, who were third in 2023, host last season’s runners-up Brigstock on Saturday when Peterborough Town are at Old Northamptonians (11am starts).

Hard-hitting Zeeshan Manzoor has started the summer well for Peterborough Town. Photo David Lowndes.