CRICKET - Willoughby ease to eight-wicket win against Brigstock - The Rugby Observer

CRICKET - Willoughby ease to eight-wicket win against Brigstock

Rugby Editorial 26th May, 2022   0

WILLOUGHBY CC made it back-to-back wins in the Northamptonshire Cricket League Division Seven with an eight-wicket victory at home against Brigstock seconds.

The visitors batted first and saw opener John Udall and Bradley Morris make 27 and 44 respectively but Willoughby’s first change bowlers initially wrested the initiative back in their favour.

Stuart Bonthuys particularly impressed with the ball in a 10-over spell which yielded 4-19.

With none of Brigstock’s other batters able to add any meaningful contributions, their innings petered out to reach 139-9 as Mark Fell and part-time spinner Chait Kurusala returned from their opening spells to take a wicket apiece.




In reply Kurusala and Hassan Nawaz opened in determined fashion racing to 70 inside 11 overs, the former departing for 44.

And although Ashley Rayner then fell for 15, Nawaz remained firm and comfortably saw Willoughby to their target finishing on 66 not out.


However, it was another day to forget in the field for Willoughby’s 2nd team as they slumped to their third successive loss away at early season contenders Bold Dragoon.

Willoughby were put into bat and after a solid start from Matt Goss (26) and Martyn Norman (22) built foundations at 79-2 from the first 20 overs.

With Bold Dragoon only utilising four bowlers, the visitors dragged themselves back into contention with a notable contribution from Sean Thornton (26).

At 124-6 off 32 overs it was a below par score on a excellent batting surface, Jonnie Taylor (32 not out) on debut with Ryan Perry (38 not out) produced a 70 run sixth-wicket partnership to accelerate the run rate and finish the innings on 194.

This was a defendable score but another innings where the team were bogged down during the middle overs. Heyworth 3-28 and Jennings 2-38 were the key wicket takes for the hosts.

With numerous bowling options unavailable the target was still defendable but it was another day to forget as from the off Bold raced out of the blocks and chalked up 126 for 0 at 20 overs.

Bowling changes were required and nobody found any line, length and gifted the Bold batters runs through the innings. The only notable figures were two late wickets for Martyn Norman (2-26).

Another very disappointing bowling display, Shepherd after eight years away from the game looked excellent value for his 93 and Heyworth finishing on an unbeaten 76 seeing Bold Dragoon home with ease.

Willoughby’s 1st XI travel to Northampton Saints 2nd XI on Saturday, May 28 with a midday start whilst the second team host Old Northamptonians on the same day at the same time.

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