Grantham and Melton Cricket Assoc round-up: Egerton Park edge Ashby Carington

Ashby Carington top scorer Martin Troop at the crease, watched by Zaheer Hussain who hit a 50 in Egerton Park's reply EMN-160524-171008002

Sarfraj Patel hit 61 for the visitors, but Sajid Patel was the star of the show, adding figures of 4 for 13 in the Billesdon reply to his earlier knock of 58. Queniborough lie second, just two points behind early pacesetters Houghton.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Egerton Park earned their first win in a tight contest with Ashby Carington.

Martin Troop struck 60 to help Ashby post 176-6 from their 40 overs. But Zaheer Hussain (54) replied with a half-century for the hosts who sneaked home with two wickets in hand, Jack Simons hitting the winning runs with three balls to spare,

Carington batsman Tom Smith hits out, watched by Alex Barber EMN-160524-171347002

* In Division One, Tilton and Lowesby are the early leaders after a 42-run win at Bottesford.

Aaron Charlesworth hit 52 for the hosts, but Tilton all-rounder Rob Welch was the difference, top scoring with 58 for the visitors before taking 5 for 19 in the Bottesford reply.

Sproxton kept up the pressure in second place with a comfortable seven-wicket win at Frisby, Hoby and Rotherby.

Simon Baker hit 67 not out for the home side, but Josh O’Neill struck a brilliant century, his unbeaten 110 helping Sproxton reach their target in just 27 overs,

Park bowler Joe Barnard steams in EMN-160524-171358002

* Thorpe Arnold suffered their first defeat in Division Two as they were edged out by two wickets at Rothley Park.

John Fraser’s unbeaten 52 saw Rothley home as third-placed Thorpe slipped 11 points behind the top two.