South Notts League: Lewis stars as Belvoir chase down Gedling target

A brilliant opening spell from Phil Irvine (3 for 43), aided by excellent catching from wicketkeeper Ryan Lewis, saw Gedling collapse to 31-4.

But good cricket requires some balance and this was provided by Nolan Benson (32) with a defiant innings which included six crisp fours before he also fell caught behind off the persistent Joe Bottomley (3 for 46).

Danny O’Brien took Gedling to a defendable target with 71 not out off 75 balls, a mix of attack and caution when handling the guileful Andy Dann (2 for 36).

Lewis finished with five catches, including a spectacular one-handed leg side dive off Irvine.

Irvine (21) and Jack Copley (23) gave Belvoir’s reply a sound start, but Gedling’s varied attack brought regular wickets.

Their star was a young spinner Matt Burton who, at one stage, had figures of 8-5-2-3.

However he was mastered by the sixth-wicket pair of Lewis Dann (43) and Ryan Lewis (43 not out) who put on 58, including 32 scampered singles.

Both battled through their first 20 balls before rotating the strike and adding some punchy boundaries.

Dann’s demise, at 156-6, raised Gedling’s hopes, but Bottomley stuck steadfastly to his job, feeding Lewis with eight singles.

Lewis obliged by hitting his first boundary and then two more to complete the victory by four wickets with nine balls to spare.