Craig secures thrilling tie

Ben's relative failure put pressure on the top order, but the league leaders possessed 2 excellent opening bowlers who kept the pressure on. Gaz, will Hayden and James all went early as C'thorpe slipped to 46-5 Craig found an able ally in Dan Lever and between them started to rescue the situation. Craig's remedy was to hit the ball out of the ground, whilst Dan played an excellent supporting role rotating the strike

Sam Smart and Ashley Harrison came to the end of their spells and were replaced by spinners Harris-Ensor and skipper Alan York, Craig took a liking to York with a couple of monster hits into the gardens and York reverted to pace! , however after a stand of 76 Craig was adjudged LBW to York. Thorpey joined Dan and the score ticked over, but as Dan tried to up the rate he was deceived by Harris-Ensor and stumped for 31

Thorpey was finding his range hitting a straight 6 as support came firstly from Muggle and then Waggy. In the biggest hit of the day competition Thorpey challenged Craig with 2 huge hits one into the allotments, before being well held on the boundary with 3 balls of the innings to go. An excellent 39 had given C'thorpe a defendable total of 188 a great recovery from 46-5

Thorpeys fine day continued as he dismissed both openers with 21 on the board. However Ed Proctor was in a rush. Supported by Dadu the pair raced along at 9 an over passing the 100 and looking on course for victory. Craig asked Ben to join the attack and his flight trapped Dadu in front. Proctor reached his 50 and was racing towards his ton but Ben's full toss saw Ash take an great boundary catch to dismiss Proctor for 70. York and Smart almost got the Amateurs home, but Thorpey had other ideas, bowling Smart and trapping York LBW.

Panic in the visitors ranks saw 2 quick run outs and Hatcher depart LBW to Ash who was bowling a quality 2nd spell. 9 wickets down and 10 needed to win, Axon and Harrison got them to parity. Craig had taken the penultimate over and full of confidence Axon tried to launch Craig over the close set field. however he missed and Craig hit middle to secure a thrilling draw. Hinckley Ams had lost their last 5 wickets for 16

A great game played in good spirits with the top 2 at the start of play, both showing what they were made of, the return game could be interesting!!