South Notts League: Old Dalby in touch despite Hucknall loss

After winning the toss, Dalby put Hucknall in to bat and things looked to be going their way when two wickets fell in the first four overs.

But Fifoot (27) and Rees (47) put together a good partnership to take Hucknall to 80-3.

Paul Whyley (42) then took control and Dalby’s bowlers struggled to dismiss the batsmen as Hucknall finished on 188 in 44 overs, Joe Gant taking 5 for 42 and Joe Heskey chipping in with 3 for 31.

Dalby’s innings got off to an even worse start with the first wicket falling in the first over and things then went from bad to worse.

With the batsmen struggling on an unpredictable wicket, the visitors were soon 68-7 and looking as it they would struggle to make 100.

Harry Clayton (41) and Phil Greaves (27) had other ideas and put on a fine display before Dalby were dismissed for 136 in 33.2 overs.

The 52-run defeat was not the hoped-for result, but defeat for leaders Belvoir Third XI at Newark kept Dalby in touch, just 14 points behind. The top two clash at Knipton on Saturday (1pm start).