NORTHANTS PREMIER DIVISION: Town on top after House demolition

A ton from captain David Clarke and four-wicket returns for off-spinner Lewis Bruce and teenage seamer Mohammed Danyaal were the stand-out returns, but this was the most complete team performance of the season so far by Town.

Ajaz Akhtar’s position at the top of the Town batting order has caused a few raised eyebrows, but the veteran struck 60 (nine fours) in an opening stand of 137 with Clarke.

The skipper went on to compile a stylish 110 from 109 balls (16 fours) as Town piled on the agony for a young, eager, but out-classed home side.

Asim Butt contributed 43 and Bruce cracked a quickfire 24 not out before Town declared four overs early on 277-4.

That left the city side with 54 overs to dismiss Horton and they managed it in just under 42 to record third win in four matches.

Opening bowlers Joe Dawborn and Jamie Smith picked up a wicket apiece before exiting the stage for Bruce and Danyaal.

Bruce bowled with commendable control and finished his full allocation of 15 overs with figures of 4-39, while Danyaal rushed through the tail to pick up 4-6 from 6.4 accurate overs.

Town’s mood was boosted further by a rare defeat for reigning champions Rushden at Rushton. Rushden had started the day top of the table.

Scores

Peterborough Town

D. Clarke b Shah 110

A. Akhtar st King b Neate 60

A. Butt b Shah 43

T. Young b Shah 2

L. Bruce not out 24

M. Howard not out 11

Extras 27

TOTAL (4 wkts) 277

Bowling; W. Knibbs 10-2-44-0; A. Neate 10-0-48-1; W. Charter 7-0-53-0; D. Shah 11-0-77-3; T. Seckington 2-0-9-0; G. Herbert 3-0-15-0; J. Wolstenholme 3-0-28-0.

Horton House

R. Falkner b Dawborn 12

T. Seckington c Young b Smith 13

J. King b Bruce 33

A. Neate c sayer b Bruce 10

W. Knibbs c Howard b Bruce 8

E. Ruff lbw Bruce 14

R. Turner lbw Danyaal 15

J. Wolstenholme not out 18

G. Herbert c Milner b Danyaal 4

D. Shah lbw Danyaal 0

W. Charter b Danyaal 0

Extras 7

TOTAL 134

Bowling: J. Smith 6-0-26-1; J. Dawborn 7-0-32-1; L. Bruce 15-4-39-4; D. Sayer 7-1-31-0; M. Danyaal 6.4-3-6-4.

Old Northamptonians have joined Peterborough Town at the top of the Premier Division after hammering Oundle by seven wickets at Milton Road.

Oundle slumped from 44-1 to 84 all-out after opener Ben Graves (21) had given them a solid start.

Tshepo Moreki claimed two early wickets, but ON’s sauntered home to record a third win in four games.

Sores

OUNDLE 84 (B. Graves 21, W. Heathfield 4-13, T. Webb 3-28, R. White 2-9).

OLD NORTHAMPTONIANS 87-3 (T. Hall 34no, T. Moreki 2-23).