OLDLANDS picked up a maximum 22 points from a comprehensive victory at Kings Stanley on Saturday.
A superb all-round team display in the field and a brilliant innings of 73 not out from Steve Heaven helped Oldlands keep the pressure on the two teams above them in the table.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a good wicket with a fast outfield, the home side would have been looking for a score well in excess of 200.
Indeed, the early overs suggested that this could well be on the cards as the openers moved the score fairly comfortably on to 35 before Smith was deceived by Olli Halford’s slower ball to be caught by Dave Brookes.
The bowling attack of Halford (1-42), Brookes (2-30), Colborn (0-12), Rocke (2-35) and Pennington (4-6), well supported by some excellent ground fielding and good catching, then started to squeeze the life out of the batsmen and in taking wickets at regular intervals prevented the opportunity of any acceleration to a really challenging total.
Some steady Kings Stanley bowling early on and the loss of Nick Grove in the third over with the score on two suggested the visitors might not have things all their own way.
Heaven, though, joined Brad Thomas at the crease and both batsmen settled themselves watchfully into their innings before going on to dominate the bowling.
With their partnership having moved on to 143 and the scores level Stanley achieved just their second wicket with the dismissal of Thomas for 39.
Sean Rocke then confidently struck his first delivery gloriously over extra cover for six to secure an additional batting point.
Heaven’s innings included two sixes and 11 fours.
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