Result - Won by 72 runs

Top Performers

Stainborough 216-4, J. Pepper 73 n.o., J. Hall 41 n.o., R. Grange 40

Bentley 144 a.o., C. Hall 5-42, D. Cox 33, M. Adams 31

Match Report

Stainborough’s drive for promotion was put back on track with a convincing 72 run victory over Bentley.

Electing to bat first on a poor wicket that was only going to deteriorate, Stainborough made a slow but steady start assisted by some wayward bowling. Opener, Jonathan Pepper, put up a battling performance under difficult conditions and batted throughout the innings for 73 not out. Richard Grange (40) and John Hall 41 not out, increased the scoring rate and with the benefit of 46 extras, Stainborough reached 216-4 at the close.

In reply, the Bentley batsmen never looked comfortable on an unpredictable pitch. Many adopted a gung-ho approach in an attempt to score the runs as quickly as possible, but it did not pay off against the excellent bowling of Chris Hall (5-42). D. Cox (33), M. Adams (31) and C. Smith (22) all made useful contributions but a final total of 144 all out was well short of their target.