After what can only be described as an ‘interesting’ week in Leicestershire cricket, the 1st XI found themselves going into this weekend’s fixture against Market Harborough just outside the relegation zone for the first time this season.

In a news item  on Enderby Cricket Club’s web page, Matt Yates writes:

Once again Steve Coughlin won the toss and decided to bowl first on a beautiful summer’s day in Market Harborough.

Things didn’t start well, with Market Harborough getting off to a flyer with the opening pair putting on 96 inside 15 overs; Parkinson (3-26) broke the partnership, bowling Leonard for a rapid 59.

Even though this wicket did slow the run rate down, Market Harborough continued to pile on the runs with Kendall and Butchart (70) taking the score over 200, before Kendall (93) was dismissed by Yates (2-40) to a slightly questionable LBW decision.

This dismissal energised Enderby as they took 7 wickets in the last 10 overs and restricted Market Harborough to 276-9, when a score well over 300 looked on the cards at one point.

After losing Patel early, Enderby started to pile on runs of their own, with Wormington (38) crashing all the Market Harborough bowlers round the ground before misjudging a sweep shot that ended up with him being caught on the deep backward square leg boundary, with the score on 77.

Next came Parkinson to the crease, who continued to keep the scoreboard turning over. Unfortunately Market Harborough spinner O’Callaghan (4-26) took wickets at the other end; keeping the run-rate down and making Parkinson take a few more risks to keep Enderby on track for their target.

When Parkinson was dismissed in the 35th over for 64 to another dubious LBW decision, Enderby suffered a mini batting collapse, going from 185-4 to 196-8 in the next 6 overs.

With the winning target now very unlikely, the in batsmen Yates (22*) and Cartwright (8*) decided to just make sure Enderby didn’t lose the game, taking them as close as possible to the target and minimising risks to give Enderby as many points as possible.

For the second week in a row, the pair stayed together until the end, putting on 39 runs in the last 9 overs, finishing on 235-8 and giving Enderby a well-deserved draw along with a crucial 11 points to keep the 1st XI survival hopes alive.

The 2nd XI hosted table toppers Shree Sanatan, looking to continue their good form of late, as they pull further away from the relegation zone.

Surprisingly, captain Ian Turner managed to win a toss and decided to bat first on another good looking track at Mill Lane and boy did they make the most of it! They smashed their way to 212-1 in the 33rd over with Haden (113) and Hood (91) putting on over 150 in double quick time.

When both men were dismissed quickly by Rana (4-44), Enderby looked to continue the push for 300 – playing very aggressively. Unfortunately this lead to a lot of wickets falling in the last 10 overs, but Enderby’s risks were rewarded when the team finished on a monster 291-9 from their 45 overs.

After a positive start, Shree Sanatan’s reply never really got going, with wickets falling at regular intervals throughout the innings.

The top bowler was Harrison (4-44) who took vital wickets throughout. Surprisingly, for the last 15 overs the opposition seemed happy just not to lose the game, without even attempting to go for the extra bonus points available to them, limping to 214-9 in their 45 overs, well short of their target.

Another positive weekend for the club, the rumours of the 1st XI demise have been greatly exaggerated, with them picking up critical points at the business end of the season, while the 2nd XI go from strength to strength with another dominating display.

The 1st XI host Leicester Ivanhoe this weekend, still just outside the relegation zone, knowing more points are a must if they are to keep the chasing Lutterworth at bay.

The 2nd XI travel to Birstall Village, looking to keep their strong form going, enabling them to finish as strong as possible as we approach the end of the season.

Pop down for a beer (or lemonade if you’re a youngen’) and cheer on The Bees!