Birthday Boy Ben star of the show

Craig won the toss and Waggy produced a first over beauty to bowl Gary Potter for 0 however injury soon curtailed Waggy's spell and Ash joined Thorpey. Carel Fourie looked in good form driving well through mid on, whilst opening partner Simon Claricoates struggled with his timing. Fourie raced to 40 and Craig was forced to ring the changes.

Toony joined the attack and the skipper also turned his arm over. In his first over Craig bagged the valuable scalp of Fourie, well held by Thorpey. Claricoates soon edged to Dan and the runs dried up. Phil James played some extravagant shots before Matt Mcdonald took an excellent catch back peddling. Craig then bowled Stevenson and his 4 quick wickets had demolished Melton's middle order.

Mike Roberts hit a couple of big shots before Gaz bowled him. and it was left to veteran Pete Humphries and skipper Ben Redwood to crash a few at the end to take the score to a respectable 194

I reply Ben hit Roberts 2nd ball through extra cover for an elegant boundary and that was to set the tone for things to come. Roberts and skipper Redwood bowled tightly, but Gaz and Ben saw off the new ball then increased the tempo. Fourie's injury meant he could only bowl token off spin and when he went for 13 in an over that was the end of his spell. Ben reached 50 with another elegant four as his great run scoring spree continued.

Gaz was playing some fine shots but finding the fielder whereas Ben threaded just about everything through the gaps as he approached his ton. Gaz reached 50 but soon after missed a straight one from part time spinner Potter and was LBW for 58 Will joined Ben clipping his first ball through mid wicket, but it was Ben who was the star reaching his hundred and then finishing the game with a 4 and then a 6

Countesthorpe reached their target with 15 overs to spare and Ben finished 111 not out, a knock which included 18 fours and a 6 and with leaders Hinckley Ams losing, Countesthorpe closed to within 8 points of top spot. All to play for in the 2nd half of the season which starts next week.