Thorpe Arnold chase down Egerton Park target in Sunday league derby

Thorpe Arnold CC gained some revenge for their recent County League loss when they defeated Egerton Park in the Grantham and Melton Association on Sunday.
Mark Starkey made an early breakthrough for Thorpe Arnold EMN-180523-114502002Mark Starkey made an early breakthrough for Thorpe Arnold EMN-180523-114502002
Mark Starkey made an early breakthrough for Thorpe Arnold EMN-180523-114502002

Park won the toss in the Premier Division clash and opted to bat first, but the hosts quickly lost openers Jacob Bates and Anthony Pedlar.

Overseas signing Rakesh Seecharan rebuilt with wicketkeeper Tom Mold (20) until Lewis Perry (2 for 42) had the latter caught and bowled.

Joe Carnell (7) was soon bowled by Kingsley Miller (2 for 38), but Seecharan (79) found more substantial support from Jordan Woolcock (54) as the pair set Park on their way to a competitive total of 193-6 from their 40 overs.

Rakesh Seecheran top-scored for Park with 79 EMN-180523-114540002Rakesh Seecheran top-scored for Park with 79 EMN-180523-114540002
Rakesh Seecheran top-scored for Park with 79 EMN-180523-114540002

Thorpe’s chase also started badly when opener Perry was caught by Park skipper Henry Newton off the bowling of Connor Beeken without scoring.

But Charlie Read (50) built good partnerships with Richard Garner (29) and then Mark Starkey (46) to swing the match Thorpe’s way.

Tom Barnard finally bowled Read, Beeken (2 for 47) trapped Miller for nine, and Seecharan (2 for 34) then removed Hirst cheaply as Park fought back.

But it was too little, too late as Richard Randall (39 not out) guided the visitors to their target with six wickets down and two overs to spare.