Sileby Town suffered a two wicket defeat to local rivals Barrow & Burton CC at Mill Lane last night, in the quarter-finals of the Joe Orton Cup.
With Barrow chasing Sileby’s 118 off just 14 eight ball overs, the visitors knocked out the home side with just one ball to spare after Aktar’s quick fire 39.
Micky Ruddle won the toss and had elected to bat, despite the wicket looking slow.
Luke Gale and Dave Torr got off to a relatively slow start and it was Tom Shipman who picked up the first wicket removing Gale (10), after he top edged it to Rishi Patel at long off.
Liam Kinch joined Torr at the crease before the young right arm bowler removed Torr’s bails, playing all round a straight one as he departed for 15.
Clarke remained wicketless throughout his three over spell, but just went for 11 runs in his 24 deliveries.
Left arm spinner Ryan Dew replaced Clarke, but it wasn’t until his second over where he picked up the wicket of Richard Preston, as he tried to sweep Dew to deep square but was trapped leg before wicket for just 12.
Kinch played lovely for his 43, until he was caught, falling to Dew, before he picked up the wickets of both Mo Khan (5) and Joe Charity (5) to complete his four wickets.
Micky Ruddle (18*), along with Sam Gale (2) helped Sileby to their target of 118-6, as they look set to defend their total.
In reply, Rishi Patel hit a useful 20, after Dawson had removed both Kara and Mo Bobat for eight and three respectively. Aktar joined Patel but it was Sam Gale’s left arm spin that deceived the opener and bowled him.
Grew’s exploits, which included a couple of maximums had Barrow well within sight of Sileby’s target.
Ruddle picked his his first wicket having Grew caught at long-on for 25 before a late flurry of wickets.
Jack Williamson (6) was soon run out after poor communication and Gareth Williamson (1) soon followed him back to the clubhouse after Kinch had him caught and bowled, which appeared to be a very soft dismissal.
Aktar was eventually dismissed for 39 when Ruddle had him caught behind to Richard Preston for his second wicket of the night.
The late collapse in wickets had the game back in the balance, and it was Kinch again bowling Clarke (2), but it was young Tom Shipman (8*) who held his nerve to see Barrow over the line.
Sileby’s impressive run in the Joe Orton Cup has come to an end but the runner’s up of this competition will look to maintain their position at the top of the LCA Thursday Evening Premier League for the rest of the season.
