Evererds County League Premier: Barkby up to fourth with Rothley double

Barkby United, from left, back - Eamonn Bourke, Rob Townsend, Aiden Morris, Tom Flowers, Matthew Harby, Max Carmichael; front - Matthew Boyce, Martin Troop, Stephen Flowers, Jamie Drake, Ian Kirk. EMN-160628-102447002

Having lost the toss on a sunny afternoon at Beeby Road, Barkby found themselves in the field against a depleted Rothley side, hoping to bounce back from a below-par performance the week before.

Kirk and Fazackerley set the tone well in the first five overs, regularly beating the bat of Kenyan international Karim and Hackett.

But after a few sloppy misfields, the openers started to find their feet, taking the score to 40-0 after nine overs.

Fazackerley found Hackett’s edge to give Troop a comfortable catch before Johnson, bowling nicely, angled the ball across Karim (44) and took the edge.

Townsend was introduced into the attack, hoping to repeat his 6 for 16 against this opponent earlier in the season, and was soon in the wickets, removing Nightingale with a full-toss, caught by captain Flowers at mid-on.

Tom Flowers needed off the field treatment after being struck in the head at first slip by an edge from Khan who was then dismissed by Townsend (10-0-36-2), caught Flowers, for 46, looking for a big shot to bring up his milestone.

Morris came back to remove Reed (13) with another catch for Troop and followed it with the wicket of Hackett, edging onto his stumps for nine. The returning Fazackerley continued to run in hard and picked up Sheikh (5), caught by Townsend at mid-on.

Kirk yorked Muzaffar (7) in his final over and ran out Cross (0) to restrict Rothley to 221-9.

Boyce and Kirk strolled out and soon got the reply moving in the face of some hostile bowling from Leicestershire man Sheikh.

Boyce drove his way to 36 before he was well-caught at cover for 36, and a slight wobble followed as Kirk (20) was bowled by Muzaffar who then had Hinchcliffe caught at slip for five (80-3).

The Flowers brothers continued the chase to great effect, keeping the scoreboard moving until Tom tamely chipped to square leg for 23.

Fazackerley unleashed a large array of strokes, using the reverse sweep to great effect to bring up a well-deserved half-century before departing for 55.

Steve Flowers played confidently and hit his trademark six over midwicket to bring the runs required down to single figures.

Troop (1) fell to Sheikh, but Townsend’s back-foot punch for four and Flowers’ quick single secured a four-wicket win with more than 12 overs left.

Barkby head to Barrow Town on Saturday looking to continue their fantastic season.