Former Stainsby Hall players Rich Krupiak and Craig Parker both hit fifties against their old club to take the Millers second team to another victory, and one step closer to promotion to Division 5. The pair put on a fourth wicket partnership of 119 as the Millers secured a six wicket victory.
In cloudy conditions, Stainsby took the crease first and soon lost Craig Ottewell, bowled by Steve Walker for 12 with only 19 on the board. Fellow opener Shaun Brown was joined by skipper John Wood and the pair put on 98 before Wood played on to Rich Davey for 45.
On 123, Ben Bignell became another Davey victim, caught by Jordan Fredrickson for 2 and four runs later the visitors lost Brown, brilliantly run out by Paul Aldred for 60.
On 136, Stainsby lost two more wickets when Tony Borrington was caught by Neil Wing, off Aldred, for 7 and Davey picked up another 3-for, bowling Karl Neville for three.
Stainsby’s final wicket to fall was that of Michael Cresswell, caught by Cox for 8, giving Aldred his second. Matt Bramhall (13 not out) and Sunny Kooner (4 not out) took Stainsby to a below par 163 for 7 at the end of their 46 overs.
For the hosts, Davey’s three cost him 40 runs and Aldred’s two cost him 60. Walker’s economical nine over spell returned figures of 1 for 18.
The Millers were confident of overturning the Stainsby total, but their reply started in disastrous fashion when former Miller Matt Bramhall started with two wicket maidens. The prolific Wing was first to go, nicking a ball to keeper Wood without scoring and Nick Wright left a Bramhall ball which bowled him all ends up for a single.
Worse was to come for the Millers when Aaron Tullett was caught by Bignell, off Cresswell, for 20 but this brought together Krupiak and Parker to win the game for the Millers.
Krupiak hit 51 (7 fours and a six) before he was caught by Bramhall, off Neville but Parker finished unbeaten on 60, including 8 fours. Aldred joined Parker and finished on 2 not out as the Millers eased to victory with 11 overs remaining.
Of the Stainsby bowlers, Bramhall was the pick with figures of 2 for 28 while Cresswell and Neville picked up one apiece.
Leaders Sandiacre Town picked up 27 points from their victory at home to lowly Cutthorpe which leaves them five clear at the top of 6 North, but having played one more than the Millers who hold second spot, 63 points clear of Eckington, who are bridging the gap far too slowly, in third.
Scores: Langley Mill Utd (22pts) 165-4 [34.4 overs] (C Parker 60*, R Krupiak 51) beat Stainsby Hall (5pts) 163-7 [46 overs] (S Brown 60, J Wood 45, R Davey 3-40) by 6 wickets
