NCL ROUND-UP: Five-star Babar sets up win for title-chasing ONs

Once the rain had cleared, Afaq Babar claimed five for 41 to dismiss Horton for 116 all out, with Richard Kaufman claiming three for 17.

The only Horton batsman to hold his own was Shiv Jhala, who made 54.

In reply, Rob White led the ONs run chase with 55 from 46 balls, while Richard Hudson hit and unbeaten 54 from 57 balls as the home side coasted home in 18.2 overs.

The win means ONs are 14 points behind new leaders Peterborough, who were two-wicket winners over Oundle.

Only Alex Martin (26) got past 20 as Oundle scraped their way to 137 for nine in their allocation with the consistent Paul McMahon the pick of the home attack with four for 43.

The reply was far from straightforward but the efforts of Petrus Jeftha (4-37) proved to be in vain as Lewis Bruce (47) ensured Posh took the spoils.

Morning leaders Rushton were knocked off the top spot after they were held to a draw by Finedon Dolben.

Rushton, having been put in, were bowled out for 180 in 54 overs.

Will Sneath and Chris Goode took four for 32 and four for 39 respectively for the hosts while Jon Carpenter top scored for the visitors with 52.

Finedon only faced 34 overs in their reply and they closed 45 runs short of their target on 134 for seven.

Rushden have dropped to fourth after they were beaten at home by Wollaston.

Wollaston scored 248 for six (David Shelford 83no, Gareth Griffiths 4-55) and this wasn’t threatened as Rushden were bowled out for 194.

Mikey Phillips top scored with 53 while Steve Musgrave took four for 62 for the victors.

Stony Stratford claimed a welcome victory as they saw off Burton Latimer by five wickets.

Burton were bowled out for 162 as the Stony attack shared the wickets around, with Russell White taking tree for 26 and Vicram Sohal three for 40.

White then did his bit with the bat as well. hitting an unbeaten 46 as the visitors reached 166 for five in the 41st over, Mark Hulbert hitting 35 and Sohal 33.

The day’s other match saw unpredictable Saints get the better of Brixworth by three wickets at Birchfield Road East.

Callum Berrill’s 107 dominated Brixworth’s 218 for eight with Ali Hasnain (4-31) the standout performer with the ball for the Saints.

Zak Harvey (77) and Tom Bradbeer (63) then enabled the Saints to total 222 for seven to ensure Ashley Starmer’s efforts of four for 57 came to nothing.