Everards County League: Egerton Park wrap up weekend win double

The Firsts moved up to third in Division Two despite the continued absence of skip Nick Watchorn with a dislocated and fractured thumb.

Park won an important toss and put Leicester Ivanhoe Second XI in to bat.

Zaheer Hussain did for Ivanhoe’s middle order, picking up 4 for 33, and was supported well by Charlie Madden (4 for 25) as spin had a big say.

Opener Richard Newbery hit 57 for the visitors who were bowled out for just 120 within 43 overs.

The Park batsmen shared the runs around in the reply, opener Richard Bailey top scoring with 38, as the hosts chased down the target with four wickets to spare in the 38th over.

The First XI travel to fifth-placed Ibstock on Saturday.

* Park Seconds travelled to Dunton Bassett Second XI and were put in to bat first.

Lees (46) and Simons (34) gave the visitors a solid foundation with a 60-run opening stand, and Creed (16) and Beeken Snr (14) chipped in as Park posted a decent total of 163-8 from their 45 overs.

Tom Barnard’s four-wicket haul and three wickets from Reed put the skids under the Dunton reply, while there was also a wicket apiece for Barber and Webster.

Captain Mold added the coup de grace as he took the final wicket with only eight balls left to wrap up an exciting win.

The 30-point haul lifted Park to seventh in Division Seven East ahead of Saturday’s home fixture with Blaby Village (1pm).