Gedling Colliery attack puts Belvoir in a spin

Belvoir’s highlight of the day was an excellent 100-run partnership for the second wicket.

Opener Sam Nightingale crashed 13 fours in his 68, including some classically driven strokes through the covers.

At the other end, Lewis Dann contributed 33, featuring a beautiful late cut wide of third man.

However, Gedling’s left-arm spinner Akif Farooq was into his stride and took wickets in three successive overs.

There was a minor fightback from James Clayfield (21) and Joe Bottomley, but the former fell to the tireless and naggingly accurate Matt Burton.

Irfan Haidar (3 for 53) returned to help Farooq (6 for 41) wrap up the innings at 173.

Duncan McKeown (32) and Ammar Khan (75 not out) got onto the front foot immediately, with six fours coming in the first four overs of Gedling’s reply.

Belvoir’s bowlers applied as much pressure as they could, but both batsmen were in cavalier mood and continued at nearly five runs per over until the dogged Olly Elson trapped McKeown lbw.

Unfortunately, all this did was to bring Josh Mierkalns (58 not out) to the wicket.

He cruised towards his half-century with seven fours and two sixes.

Khan, likewise but with more finesse, finished proceedings with an 85-ball innings of 75.