A double victory weekend for Moulton Harrox ended with their Sunday side topping the Rutland Division Four East by the narrowest of margins.
Moulton managed to topple previous leaders Orton Park by just one run after defending their 168-8.
Key contributions in the Moulton innings came from Louis Greetham (39), Alin Carter (37) and Henry Lavery (39), the latter of whom, Moulton say, recorded a 94 meter six.
The home side were unable to push the score on too much thanks to some tight bowling by the visitors including Ethan Debell bowling 12 straight overs for 2-22.
Moulton’s total proved enough to defend – just.
Alex Baker (2-18) and Dareen Hibbert (1-30) struck early on but Orton began working towards the total.
Opener Andy Bennett made a well crafted 25 while there were other useful knocks from the visitors by Jack Calpin (17) and Adrian Joubert (20).
All three of those fell to Karl Hibbert (3-42) who picked up wickets at key times.
Orton captain Debell continued to be a thorn in Moulton’s side as he kept his side in it with the bat.
As the game hung in the balance, Carter played a vital role as he picked up four wickets in the tail to leave Orton nine down.
He took 3-35 in 10 overs with the game on the line.
Despite a super 47 not out from Debell, Moulton held their nerve in the final over to deny Orton the runs they needed.
They closed on 167-9, one run short of a tie.
The result was enough to sent Moulton top of the league and drop Orton to third.
- The previous day, a Jack Barnett inspired Moulton had kept up their promotion hopes by beating second placed Baston in South Lincs and Border League Division One.
Captain Mike Kearns Senior led the way with a 52 opening the batting.
He was backed by contributions from Jake Morton (26), Nohman Jerral (25) and Barnett who hit 36 as Moulton posted 180 for 8 from their 45 overs.
It was the ball with which Barnett really starred as his 5-19 from 12 overs turned the game in Moulton’s favour in impressive fashion.
Baston had started well through openers Andy Keen (67) and James Tickler (21), but Barnett bowled both.
Carl Lamming was equally superb taking 4-16 from his 12 overs as the pair ripped through the rest of the order.
Only number nine James Roffe (13) reached double figures outside of the top two as Barnett and Lamming dominated.
After they’d done the damage, Roffe was the last man out, run out by Steven Rushworth.
Baston were 130 all out giving Moulton a 50 run win and moving them within 25 points of the top two.
