Century stands from duo help Moulton Harrox to fine wins on successive days

Mike Kearns Snr and Chris Beale shared 100 partnerships on both Saturday and Sunday to lead Moulton Harrox to a weekend of victories.

On Saturday, a South Lincs and Border League Division One trip to Welby was made all the more difficult as Moulton lost the toss and were asked to bat first in bowler friendly conditions.

Some tight bowling from the hosts restricted openers Kearns and Beale to only 32 runs from the first 15 overs, however batting got steadily easier the longer the pair batted, before Beale fell for 39 in the 31st over having put on 111 for the first wicket.

With wickets in hand, Moulton began to up the run rate with Matt Barnett adding 26 and Kearns falling for 78, however the visitors fell 12 runs short of full batting points.

In reply, Moulton took wickets at regular intervals, with Nohman Jarral (1-6) bowling with superb skill with the new ball, assisted by Alex Baker (1-10), Carl Lamming (2-20), Louis Greetham (2-12), Jack Barnett (1-8) and Simon Juckes (3-1).

Welby were bowled out for 67, Moulton winning by 121 runs for their 11th victory in a row in SLBL Division One, meaning victory over bottom-placed Boston next Saturday will secure promotion.

On Sunday, Moulton visited Peterborough Town 2nd in Division Four (East) of the Rutland League.

The hosts were asked to bat first and racked up an imposing total of 228-7 on a batting friendly surface and a quick outfield.

Jake Morton was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-28 and helped keep the Harrox in the game come the tea interval.

Moulton’s reply was precariously poised at 107-4 after 26 overs after Henry Lavery’s 62 and Alin Carter’s 23.

Kearns and Beale then made inroads into the total, leaving 74 required from the final ten overs. The pair pushed ones and twos before the target eventually got down below a run a ball with three overs to go.

Beale fell for 51 with only two runs required to win, leaving Nick Cornwell to hit the winning runs and Kearns undefeated on 55.

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