Seas End Hall earned a narrow 12-run win over Loddington as the Rutland League Division Five season reached the half-way stage on Sunday.
Narrowly beaten away in the reverse fixture back in May, Seas End were determined to win at home – and did just that to cement their spot in the top five.
A good start of 60 after 12 overs by Rob Grant (49) and Will Wright (25) slowed somewhat as wickets began to fall and at drinks Hall were 94-4.
A succession of contributions from the lower middle order of Damian Lawson (24), Olly Booth (24), Lewis Martin (27) and Paul Foreman (27) saw Seas End through to a slightly below-par 217-8.
In reply, the opposition’s pro Amrith Eldridge set off at a gallop – and after six overs the score was already 47.
Just in time the day’s stand out bowler Paul Foreman (5-35) chipped in with his first wicket.
When Eldridge (39) was caught at long on by Grant the game looked safe for the hosts – but steady accumulation by Nick Herbert (82) showed how easy it is to score runs at Seas End Hall.
He shepherded the tail from 86-6 to 147-7 and 180-8.
However, Loddington were never quite up with the run rate and, after Herbert fell in the 40th over, they needed 22 from the last over.
Seas End needed one wicket to tie up maximum points, but neither was achieved – so Seas End took the win, but not the final bowling point as the visitors closed on 205-9.
