Fours win sends them second

Another excellent bowling display helped the Fours move in to second place in Division 8 East of the Leicestershire & Rutland League as they sealed a six wicket win to seal a league double over their rivals.

Having won the toss the visitors were asked to bat first and that decision drew almost immediate dividends with the new ball pairing of Issie Barnes and Dave King taking a wicket apiece.

Their good work was followed by a brace of wickets each for Archie Bates and Nathan Preston (2-22) to reduce the visitors to 46 for 7. However, a stand of 46 between Hardik Pandya (41) and Reece Loseby (13) checked Sileby's momentum through the final ten overs.

The return of Mark Barber and Bates to the attack saw a rapid end to the innings with Barber (2-18) picking up Reece, caught by King at midwicket, Suwunarachia was run out by Preston and Pandya was brilliantly caught behind by Matty Houghton off Bates (3-20) to dismiss the visitors for 112.

Sileby's reply was measured as Preston and Jake Bowley set a solid platform on which to build. While runs from the bat were at a premium the scoring rate was helped by plenty of wides.

Preston was bowled by Pandya (2-27) for 14 and Andrew Preston (6) was well caught at long on with Jamil taking a good grab off a steepler soon after.

Bowley's dismissal for 14 after drinks gave the visitors hope at 69 for 3 before a stand of 23 between Matt Sharpe and Houghton all but sealed the win for Sileby.

Sharpe's dismissal with 21 needed did give the visitors renewed hope but Houghton's unbeaten unbeaten 27 saw his side over the line with six wickets in the bank - enough to see his side move two points clear of Electricity Sports in the second and final promotion place with one game remaining.