Langley Mill’s Sunday side leapt to the top of Section 4 of the Mansfield League after inflicting a 21 run defeat on old rivals Marehay at Station Road. The victory leaves the Millers 13 points clear of Frecheville Community, with next opponents Anston a further four points behind, both having played one more than the Langley Mill.
The hosts batted first and openers Grant Ball and Ryan Brunelleschi started well enough putting on 28 before Ball was bowled by Chris Bradder for 14. The introduction of Dave Buckley swung the game in favour of Marehay as he whipped out the next five Millers batsmen.
Andy Sibley was next to go, caught and bowled for 24 followed quickly by Jamie Salmons (0), Ben Scott (4) and Alex Bacon (0), all clean bowled. Ryan Brunelleschi hit a defiant 42 before he was also bowled Buckley and it was left to skipper Andrew Bailey to put the Millers back in the game.
Despite losing Jay Holmes, unluckily run out backing up for 2, Bailey, aided by 21 from Rich Krupiak, took Langley Mill to 201 for 8 at the end of their 40 overs. Krupiak was the eighth wicket to fall, caught by Dave Palmer to give Bradder his second.
For Marehay, Buckley’s heroics netted him 5 for 26 and Bradder returned figures of 2 for 41.
Marehay’s reply started badly as they lost Jonathan Bradder, caught and bowled by Kyle Barton without scoring. Luke Rowley then had James Kyte well stumped by Sibley for 18 and Bailey caught Brian Caulton, off Bacon, for 19.
Chris Bradder almost produced a match winning innings when he blasted a rapid 84, including 7 fours and 8 sixes, but wickets were falling steadily around him. Michael Hamp was bowled by Bacon for 10 and Holmes picked up the wickets of Buckley, leg before for 5 , and Palmer, caught by Sibley for a duck.
Skipper John Edwards was run out without scoring and when Bradder finally edged Holmes to the safe hands of keeper Sibley, the writing was on the wall for the visitors.
Holmes picked up his fourth when he bowled Harry Brocklehurst without scoring and Shaun Bosworth was caught by Rowley for 10, giving Bacon his third. Marehay finished all out 180 with four overs left.
For Langley Mill, Holmes returned 3 for 33 and Bacon 3 for 24. Rowley’s wicket cost him 27 from his ten overs and Barton’s wicket came at a cost of 25.
Scores: Langley Mill Utd (20pts) 201-8 [40 overs] (A Bailey 62*, R Brunelleschi 42, D Buckley 5-26) beat Marehay (7pts) 180 all out [35.3 overs] (C Bradder 84, J Holmes 4-33, A Bacon 3-24) by 21 runs
