Welcome win leaves Leighton on cloud nine
Leighton Buzzard Cricket Club round-up
After last week's defeat, Leighton needed to get back to winning ways and duly did so with a comprehensive nine-wicket win at Abingdon Vale.
The home team chose to bat first, but lost their first three wickets for just 34 runs, with two falling to Jack Kempster and the other to Dan Scott during a devastating opening spell from Town's bowlers.
A recovery followed with a stand worth 62 between Rob White (27) and Chris Roderick (36) before Kempster struck again to remove the former.
The hosts then collapsed to the spin of Lee Selfe, losing six wickets for a mere 33 runs as the Leighton man hit a sensational run of form in returning figures of 4-34. And when Kempster returned to action to help see off the lower order, he took his afternoon's work to an equally outstanding 4-31.
Vale's innings ended with a smart run out by Town wicket keeper James Bishop to leave the hosts living on a prayer at 129 all out after 44 overs.
Leighton could smell blood and the away side's strong batting line-up was confident of victory. But Town received an early shock with the loss of Tom Light for five as his side stuttered. But that was to be Abingdon's last success of the day as fellow opener Chris Thompson, along with run-machine Phil Whatmore, did the necessary.
They proceeded to hit the bowlers all round the ground in an unbroken stand of 125 in 19 overs. Whatmore led the way with another big-hitting innings of 73 not out off 63 balls with nine boundaries and three huge 6s as Thompson contributed an excellent 51 not out to see Leighton home on 133-1.
Leighton Buzzard 2nds 236-6 Cropredy 237-9
Town had five changes to their team for the visit of current Division Four leaders Cropredy to Bell Close in a match which turned into a nail biting cliffhanger.
The visitors won the toss and put Leighton into bat. Openers Tim O'Leary and Chris Hipwell made an excellent start with an opening stand worth 123 runs, Town's best so far this season.
O'Leary was first to go for 51 but then what had looked relatively easy began to look difficult. Brazier and Benger were quickly dismissed and there were small cameos from Raine (16), Smith (15) and Darton (19).
But it was Hipwell who stole the show as he held the innings together with an excellent and undefeated 111 not out. This included 12 boundary 4s and one 6 in 152 balls as Town ended on 236-6, their highest score achieved so far this season.
With three of their regular bowlers missing, Nick Boyce made the best of starts for Town taking a wicket with his first delivery. Cropredy soon worked their way back into the game with some aggressive strokeplay, especially from Hazell. But two smart legside stumpings from O'Leary tilted the balance in Town's favour.
Barrett (51) and Cherry (35) turned the game on its head yet again with a 75-run partnership until occasional bowler Alfie Ruston came on to bowl. He took three wickets in four overs and Gareth Benger did the same at the other end as suddenly the league leaders were in a real fight for survival at 211-9.
The runs gradually added up though and the hosts missed a couple of good chances to make a breakthrough in the field. The visitors' last two batsmen stuck doggedly to their task and a 26-run partnership saw the them just creep over the winning line by the narrowest of margins. Town take 13 points for their troubles.
Oxford Downs 3rds 97-0 Leighton 3rds 94
This Division Eight clash resulted in another disappointing outcome for Leighton who now sit bottom of the table.
An early collapse of wickets left the visitors struggling as only James Raine (24), Jack Bishop (13) and Nick Scott (16 not out) made it into double figures. Opening bowler Roger took 6-19 in 12 overs.
In reply Oxford opener Pearson clattered 70 not out in double quick time as the home side cantered to an very easy 10-wicket victory.
Leighton Buzzard 165 Dunstable 217
Dunstable batted first and made a solid start with Horton (57), Hill (22) and Woods (37) being the main contributors. At 167-3 with overs in hand a huge score seemed on the cards, but Leighton fought their way back into the game with spinners Light and Francis sharing five wickets and the visitors ended on 217.
The score was a reachable one for Town, but they made a poor start in losing four of their top batsmen for only 32 runs. Dan Scott was the only man who looked in any sort of form with a patient 40 but was out caught as he tried to hit the leg spinner Fields over mid-on.
There were some lusty blows from Kempster and Francis, although not enough and the innings ended on 165 with Dunstable comfortable 52-run winners.
Dunstable 3rds 188 Leighton 2nds 218-5
Leighton defeated Dunstable for the second time this season to extend their sequence of consecutive victories to four.
Dunstable won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. Andy Smith was an early loss for 10 but Alfie Ruston (37) and Alex Bradley - with a season's best of 63 - kept the scoreboard ticking over. Richard Jenner injected some pace into the batting with a forceful 50 runs, with seven 4s and one 6, and a final score of 218-5 was posted.
Dunstable lost opener Sistla for six, but Gower (23), Woods (41) and Simpkins (19) were the big contributors as Town worked hard for wickets. The runs dried up in the middle of the innings though with only 27 runs scored off 13 overs, Jack Bishop conceding just 15 from his seven.
Ruston (3-17) Smith (3-47) and Mark Hanlon (3-56) were Leighton's main wicket takers with Matt Cook taking the other. The home side were bowled out for 188 giving Leighton victory by 30 runs, keeping Leighton top of the table.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
