Moulton Harrox race to maximum 20-point victory over Claypole

Moulton Harrox picked up an impressive 20-point haul in South Lincs and Border League Division One as they beat Claypole by seven wickets.

Harrox skipper Simon Juckes won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the opposition to bat first in what looked like bowler-friendly conditions at Broad Lane.

Opening bowlers Alex Baker and Nohman Jarral bowled superbly with the new ball, with Baker removing both Claypole opening batsmen inside the first half hour of play, finishing with 2-37 from eight overs.

Jarral was hugely unlucky not to take more than a single scalp, but finished with fantastic figures of 1-13.

Skipper Juckes then joined the party with a wicket from the first ball of his spell, before Louis Greetham and Jack Barnett took two wickets apiece and Max Cusack had the dangerous Will Harris caught at long on as he looked to take the game away from Moulton.

An all-round solid performance in the field saw Claypole bowled at for 135, before the rain arrived on the stroke of tea.

A two-hour delay ensued, with it looking unlikely there would be further play before the skies miraculously parted and the Moulton innings was set to begin at 6pm, leaving only around 25-30 overs for the target to be chased.

Harrox openers Mike Kearns Snr and Chris Beale were immediately on the front foot, getting off to a fine start before Beale was slightly unlucky to be out caught at square leg for 17.

Kearns was joined at the crease by Matt Barnett, and the pair put on a swift 61 partnership with the skies darkening, before Kearns was out caught at mid-wicket for a fine 51 from 49 balls.

Barnett was then joined by cousin Jack, with the pair putting Moulton on the brink of victory before Matt was bowled for 43.

But the finish line was just around the corner and Moulton finished on 136-3 in 22.1 overs, taking a valuable 20 points in their bid for a promotion-winning season.

Moulton are next in league action on June 1 when they host Baston at Broad Lane.

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