NCL ROUND-UP: Bellew stuns ONs as Stony cruise to big victory

The Stony pace man claimed six for 11 from 10 overs as the ONs were rolled over for just 81 in 31 overs.

Andrew Ellemore chipped in with two for 14, while the only batsman to make any sort of headway for ONs was opener Tom Webb, who made 30.

Stony did lose three quick wickets in their reply as Afaq Babar (3-49) made early inroads, but Jarrod Pretorius with 31 not out and Tom Moore with 29 not out saw them home at 82 for three.

Third-placed Saints travelled to second-placed Peterborough in the day’s clash of the big guns, and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Rob Sayer and Joe Dawborn produced the outstanding performances for Posh.

First up, Sayer hit his maiden top flight century (101no) as the home side made 244 for three after being put in.

Dawborn then reduced the visitors to 24 for threee, but Jake Higginbotham with an unbeaten 59 and veteran Richard Ashton with 24 not out ensured they reached safety in relative comfort at 152 for six, with the teenage seamer finishing with the figures of four for 24. Opener Dan Harris also made 43.

Finedon Dolben were the main beneficiaries of that draw, as they strengthened their lead with a comfortable 119-run defeat of struggling Horton House at Avenue Road.

Finedon’s maximum 30-point haul has given them a 42-point advantage over the chasing pack.

It was one-way traffic on Saturday as the home side racked up 228 for six before declaring with six overs of their allocation remaining.

Chris Todd, promoted from the second team with Ben Howgego missing, top scored with 85 and there were other decent contributions from Dave Clarke (31) and Andy Daniels (34).

In reply, Horton had no answer with only Andrew Neate (45) offering much resistance as they were dismissed for 109 with more than 24 overs remaining.

The wickets were shared around with Chris Goode (3-36) the pick of the attack.

Burton Latimer are back at the foot of the standings following their eight-wicket defeat to Oundle at Hall Field.

The home side were rolled out for a paltry 89 after being put in with only George Groenland and Ethan Delargy passing 20.

Petrus Jeftha took 4-20 and Richard Cunningham chipped in with 3-8.

Cameron Wake and Rick Andrew then both finished unbeaten on 40 as the target was reached with plenty of time to spare.

Wellingborough Town jumped above Burton as they had secured a winning draw at Brixworth.

Christian Davis (82) and James Howes (47) steered the visitors to a competitive 273 for eight from their 55 overs.

The hosts were never in the hunt as Oli Andrew (3-62) and the rest of the Boro attack kept them under pressure.

James Lucas (46) and Paul Blakemore (45) were the cheif contributors as Brixworth closed on 206 for eight.

There was a thrilling contest at Station Road as Wollaston beat Rushton by one wicket with one ball to spare.

Batting first, the hosts were bowled out for 179 in 54 overs with the six extra deliveries proving to be crucial to the eventual outcome.

James Carpenter, with a patient 84, ensured Rushton would have a target to defend, Chris Perry the best of the Wollaston bowlers with 4-10.

At 94 for six, Wollaston looked in real trouble but a seventh-wicket stand of 75 between Mark Carter (31) and Perry (33) kep them in the hunt.

And it was left to the last-wicket pair of Simon Driver and Kieran Furniss to score the final two runs to secure a fifth win in seven outings.