Langley Mill’s second team maintained the pressure on Sandiacre Town at the top of 6 North with a third victory over Cutthorpe this season. Having already beaten the Chesterfield side in the League and the Cup, the Millers completed the League double at Station Road on Saturday winning by ten wickets.
Skipper Rich Davey won the toss and put Cutthorpe in on a green track in cloudy conditions. With a weakened bowling attack, the Millers opened with occasional bowler Dan Lacey and the move paid off in remarkable style as Lacey picked up five wickets in his 14 over spell at a cost of just 31 runs.
Simon Platts was first to go, bowled off the third ball of the game for a duck, followed soon after by James Lee, this time caught by Lacey off Davey for six. Lacey picked up his second when he caught and bowled Tim Barlow for five leaving the visitors on 11 for 3.
Simon Barlow and Jordan Thompson staged a mini revival taking Cutthorpe to 38 before Wing caught Barlow for 15, giving Lacey his third. Three soon became four for Lacey as Ryan Cox caught Thompson one run later.
Not to be outdone, Davey picked up the wicket of Dave Whittle, spectacularly caught one handed by a diving Nick Wright for five. Lacey secured his 5-for bowling Edward Barlow for a duck and it was left to Ryan Cox to pick up the other two wickets to fall. Daniel Nellis was stumped by Craig Parker for seven and Adam Bointon was caught and bowled for a duck.
Only a last wicket partnership of 25 between Andy Murray (21 not out) and Matt Platts (3 not out) gave the visitors total some respectability, but the final score of 80 for 9 from their 46 overs was woefully inadequate.
Lacey was the obvious bowling pick but Davey’s 14 overs produced figures of 2 for 17. Cox’s nine overs gained him two at a cost of just four runs.
Openers Neil Wing and Nick Wright wasted no time in taking the Millers to their target knocking off the runs in just over 12 overs. Wing bludgeoned 60 from 42 balls (7 fours and 3 sixes), while Wright was content to play the anchor man scoring an unbeaten 19 as the hosts romped home.
This win sees the Millers move level with Sandiacre at the top, but having played one game less. Eckington are still a whopping 73 points adrift in third.
Scores: Langley Mill Utd (22pts) 82-0 [12.3 overs] (N Wing 60*) beat Cutthorpe (0pts) 80-9 [46 overs] (D Lacey 5-31) by 10 wickets
