Two three-wicket hauls from Harry Lovell and Harry Shersby were not enough to save Moulton Harrox from a fourth consecutive defeat at Kimbolton in Division Four of the Rutland Sunday League.
Lovell won the toss for the visitors and went in at first wicket down to strike seven 4s in a run-a-ball 31 after opener Luke Sorrell had hit three boundaries in his 13.
He fell at 78/3 and only Cameron Fox (18) of the remaining batsmen reached double figures as the team were bowled out for 116.
Lovell took three of the first Kimbolton wickets to fall, with five going quickly. However opener Tom Hopperton (34) stuck around and found a willing ally in Cronje van Greunen (29no) to turn things around as the hosts reached 117/7, despite the effort of Shersby (3-12).
In the Mid-Norfolk Sunday League’s Kevin Grimmer Division, Long Sutton Colts conceded their opening fixture at Thornham Mariners, while Sutton Mallards’ run chase just fell short against Downham Stow Seconds.
Ellis Redden led the way for Sutton in the home innings, taking 6-14, in just 16 balls, including a maiden. Faz Mukhtar (4-26) claimed the rest to bowl out the West Norfolk team for just 88, despite five of their first six players reaching double figures.
In reply, eight of the visiting batsmen failed to score more than two runs and it was left to captain Alastair Droham (23) and opener Ethan English (18) to keep Sutton’s hopes alive.
However, despite a determined battle, it was not to be and they were bowled out for 80 in the 23rd over.