Glover puts Egerton Park on the up

The decision looked perfect when Nick Watchorn took a wicket with the very first ball of the game.

Countesthorpe rallied, reaching 46-1 off 10 overs, but a bowling change made the breakthrough as Tom Glover removed the dangerous Countesthorpe number three.

Watchorn kept the pressure on at the other end, creating regular chances to finish with 4 for 32 off his 12 overs.

At 104-9, Park were hoping for a quick finish, but a last-wicket partnership of 40 gave the visitors something to bowl at with 144.

In reply, the hosts got off to a poor start, losing Panchal in the third over for a duck.

This brought Glover to the crease, who came out all guns blazing and hitting boundaries with ease.

A 100 partnership for the second wicket with Richard Bailey saw Park reach 108-1 off just 16 overs and cruising to a comfortable victory.

After losing Bailey, Glover continued to attack, and at 133-3 Countesthorpe brought back the opening bowler Thorpe who removed Glover for a superb 66 with only 12 runs needed.

Park then lost the wickets of Rose, Barber, Talati and Newton for just eight runs.

The spectators couldn’t believe the carnage as Park still needed four to win with just two wickets remaining.

But the ice cool Tom Mold kept his nerve and pumped the ball over cover for a boundary to give Park a nervy, but ultimately comfortable victory.

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Countesthorpe: 144.

Bowling: Watchorn 12-1-32-4, Talati 5-0-22-0, Glover 9.5-2-19-3, Panchal 6-0-19-1, Newton 6-1-29-2, Barber 2-0-18-0.

Park: Bailey 37, Panchal 0, Glover 66, Madden 7, Rose 1, Barber 0, Mold 6*, Talati 5, Newton 0, King 0*, Extras 23 Total: 145-8.

* Park Seconds got back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Division Seven East leaders Illston Abbey.

Bowling first, Park rued several dropped catches as the hosts got away to a fast start.

Beeken again bowled well to pick up three wickets, and a tight spell from the ever-reliable Jeary saw the visitors fight their way back into the game.

Two wickets from Creed left Park needing to chase 199.

Pedlar again struggled to build on last season’s excellent form, but this only led to the Simons and Bates show again.

This week they added 132 for the second wicket before both fell as Park closed in on victory.

This left Beeken and Carnell to see them over the line by six wickets.

Illston: 198-7.

Bowling: Creed 10-1-36-2; Anderson 1-0-13-0; Beeken 9-1-43-3; Jeary 10-1-36-2; Wade 10-0-69-0.

Park: Pedlar 2, Bates 71, Simons 52, Beeken 15*, Carnell 6*, Extras 53. Total: 199-4.