Academy poised for Northants title

Waqas Chughtai 5-58

Northamptonshire CCC Academy look set to wrestle the Hevey Building Supplies Northamptonshire Premier Cricket League title away from Finedon Dolben after their two wicket victory over Peterborough Town gave them a 47 point lead with four matches remaining.

Peterborough, who had title ambitions of their own before the match, were bowled out for 174 in 43.2 overs. Asim Butt made 60 but received little support from the other batsmen. Richard Browning and Shaun Bailey both took three wickets, whilst Ben Ackland finished with 2-35.

The home side fought every inch of the way to pull off an unlikely victory. Waqas Chughtai was once again amongst the wickets - taking 5-58 from 17 overs but on this occasion it wasn't enough against quality opposition.

Ben Howgego led from the front, making 56. Daniel Bendon and Ben Ackland made 31 and 25 respectively in the middle order and Shaun Bailey and Tom Brett held their nerve at the death to take the County youngsters to the brink.

Finedon Dolben took advantage of Peterborough's defeat to lift themselves back into second place with a comfortable 136 run victory over Stony Stratford.

Gary Herbert made 116 and John McLoughlin 50 not out for the champions as they totalled 236-7 in 52 overs. Steve Bellew returned to take 3-52.

Only Dion Ebrahim showed any appetite for the ensuing battle - making an unbeaten 74 out of Stony's 150 all out. They remain bottom of the league whilst Finedon trail the Academy by 37 points.

Elsewhere, Mohammad Hussain cracked 106 for Rushden Town as they thrashed Old Northamptonians by 117 runs.

Babar Raja scored a century for Desborough but ended on the losing side as Irthlingborough eased their relegation worries with a 7 wicket victory - Chandan Madan making an unbeaten 90.

The scores finished level in the game between Rushton & Burton Latimer. Rushton were bowled out for 194 and Burton equalled that total for the loss of six wickets.

Steve Musgrave made 56 in Wollaston's 187 for five but Northampton Saints surpassed their target for the loss of five wickets with contributions right down the order.