So cruel for Egerton Park as they lose Loughborough Town clash by three runs

It would have built beautifully on their famous opening day win against Sileby back in April as, in a match that had everything, Park produced arguably their most complete performance of the campaign — only to be denied by the finest of margins.

Loughborough, winning the toss and electing to bat, were never allowed to settle.

Park's bowlers were disciplined and relentless throughout, with Justin Beaton producing an outstanding spell of 4-21 from 10 overs — his best figures of the season.

Abhishek Machhi (2-17) and Will Creed (2-22) provided excellent support as the visitors were bowled out for 146, a total that always appeared well within Park's reach.

The chase began positively. Vijal Vinay was in fine touch, contributing 43 with real authority, while Mayur Chauhan (22) and Mahir Manilal (26) kept Park well in contention in the middle overs.

At 109-4, with the target in sight, the game appeared to be heading in Park's favour.

But the wickets then came in a cluster.

Tom Glover, Charlie Madden and Justin Beaton all fell in quick succession as Will Stewart took a hat-trick for the visitors, leaving Park's lower order to chase an increasingly difficult target.

Will Creed struck a defiant 15 to keep hopes alive before Park were dismissed for 143 — just three agonising runs short of the victory their performance had deserved.

Despite the result, there are significant reasons for optimism for the first team.

The bowling attack, led so impressively by Australian Justin Beaton, looks increasingly capable of competing at Premier Division level, and the batting line-up has shown on multiple occasions that it has the firepower to chase down competitive totals.

Egerton Park, third from bottom, return to action on Saturday away at bottom club Oakham in a must-win game.