South Notts League: Belvoir east past Gedling as Irvine and Oldfield star

Debutant Christo Botma took three good catches to get things going, but the pick was taken by Tom Neville leaping high to grab a bullet, one-handed at slip.

Greg Oldfield (5 for 27) turned in a precision display, employing mastery of flight and subtle variations in the degree of rip.

He was well supported by a fired-up Joe Bottomley (3 for 28) against erratic batting with only Geoff Curtis (22 not out) able to deal with the bowling as he edged them past three figures.

The total of 104 didn’t seem enough, but purposeful bowling from Rhys Hayes (4 for 33) and Liam Brown (2 for 26) suggested it might as they reduced Belvoir to 59-6.

Then Phil Irvine walked out to bat and promptly crashed seven exhilarating fours in a gutsy and determined run-a-ball unbeaten 34.

A stand of 31 with Ryan Lewis (15) brought Belvoir within 15 of victory before Irvine punched three quick fours to complete it.