Peterborough Town feel the force of champions-elect Finedon

The city side travelled to the prettiest ground on the circuit intent on playing the role of party poopers. They had their ‘fab four’ of David Clarke, Lewis Bruce, Asim Butt and Rob Sayer in action for only the second time this season.

But it mattered not. Town found runs hard to come by after being asked to bat first, suffered an alarming collapse from 54-0 to 64-5 (Sayer and Butt scored three runs between them), and then recovered from 124-8 to post a respectable 174-8 in their 50 overs.

Or it seemed respectable until Finedon’s batsmen started to gorge on some loose Town bowling. They stormed to their target in just 30 overs for the loss of just two wickets to move to within touching distance of the title.

Promoted second-teamer Scott Howard (35) top scored for Town after openers Bruce (26) and Clarke (25) had posted a half century opening stand. Mohammad Danyaal (34no) and Matt Milner batted sensibly late in the innings. Milner also claimed a wicket as did Sayer, but Town look set to finish third, still a respectable effort given the turnover in playing members.

Old Northamptonians are the only team able to catch Finedon after scrambling to a three-wicket win at Oundle yesterday. Conor Craig (28) top scored in Oundle’s 97 all-out and seamer Liam Fresen (4-35) bowled well in ON’s successful reply.

RESULTS

Saturday, September 8

FINEDON beat PETERBOROUGH TOWN by 8 wkts

Town 174-8 (S. Howard 35, M. Danyaal 34no, L. Bruce 26, D. Clarke 25, T. Sole 3-31).

Fineon 175-2 (C. Berrill 62no, S. Davis 40, D. Brierley 35no).

OUNDLE lost to OLD NORTHAMPTONIANS by 3 wkts

Oundle 97 (C. Craig 28, G. Wade 4-22).

ONs 101-7 (L. Fresen 4-35, H. Craig 2-26).