County League: Egerton Park CC close in on Division Two leading pair

Hosting Ibstock Town, Park got off to a steady start, but lost early wickets as they found themselves 39-3.

Stuart Rose (70) and skipper Charlie Madden (96) made a top partnership to ruin Town’s great start.

Rose’s wicket brought the end to a 140-run partnership, but Madden (96) continued to find the boundary, supported by Tom Mold, before he finally fell, caught just short of his century.

Mold (23 not out) added partnerships with the returning Newman and Seecharan as Park posted an imposing 262-7.

Park got off to the perfect start as the visitors replied, with Glover (1 for 24) picking up an early wicket and pegging Town back.

A good partnership frustrated the hosts, but Watchorn took two wickets, while at the other end, Seecharan cut through the Ibstock middle order.

Newman (3 for 17) came on after Watchorn bowled out, and with Seecharan (4 for 41) bowled Town out for 126.

The 136-run win moved Park up to joint third, 13 points behind Leicester Ivanhoe who occupy the second promotion spot.

Egerton Park will look to extend their good run at mid-table Houghton and Thurnby on Saturday.

Matchball sponsor: Pera Business Park.

Park: Bailey 11, Barber 4, Glover 8, Rose 70, Madden 96, Mold 23*, Newman 10, Seecharan 15, Newton 0*, Extras 25. Total: 262-7.

Ibstock: 126.

Bowling: Watchorn 12-0-43-2; Glover 6-2-24-1; Seecharan 10.1-0-41-4; Newman 5-0-17-3.