Harry Bates hits seventh heaven as First Team record win

Sileby Town 1st XI opened the part-2020 campaign with a win over local rivals Rothley Park at Mill Lane.

Defending 192 from the 40 overs, opener's Harry Bates and Matt Ellis picked up the first five wickets between them, leaving the visitors reeling at 17-5 in the ninth over.

A lower order revival lead by Rothley captain Ollie Freckingham (26) and Harry Funnell (50*) shared an eighth wicket partnership of 63, but any hopes of getting back in to the game were dashed when Bates charged in to claim the final three wickets of the innings.

Earlier, Liam Kinch marked his first competitive game back as club captain with a patient knock of 62. He was ably supported by Chris Bulmer (35) after the home side were found stuttering at 69-5 before the latter joined his captain at the crease.

The star performance came in the second half with Bates removing opener's Tom Fraser (0) and Anish Patel (3) in the first and third overs respectively.

Adam Hackett (2) soon followed as he was bowled in similar fashion to the opener's, shortly after Ellis had Donald Butchart (3) caught behind by Josh Winterton.

Bates then had Richard Williams (1) trapped in front of all three before Kieran Chance bowled Kyle Saddington (12) and Oliver Welch (0) to have the away side at 44-7 in the 18th.

Whilst Funnell showed intent at the other end, Bates returned cleaning up Freckingham, Lucy Higham (0) and Phil Hackett (0) as he finished with figures of 7-13 from 7.4 overs.

The win gives Sileby four points in the first game of Group 2 in the revised Everards Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League structure.

Kinch's side travel to Leicester Ivanhoe on Saturday in the second round of the group stages.