NCL ROUND-UP: Worthington century sets up big win for Brixworth

Opening bat Worthington hit 142 from 151 deliveries, cracking 18 boundaries and three sixes, as Brixworth made an imposing 251 for nine, with Paul Blakemore scoring 40 and Steve Bellew claiming three for 30 from 13 overs.

Stony’s batters were never in the hunt in reply, and were bowled out for 138 despite 38 from Tyler Lorton and 30 from Andrew Miller.

The wickets were shared around for Brixworth between Ross McLean(3-40), Stuart Bonthuys(2-54), Colin Sibley (3-25) and Alex Lacey (2-15).

The win lifts Brixworth up to fifth in the premier division table.

Saints’ involvement in the title race looks to be over after they suffered a second successive defeat, this time at the hands of leaders Finedon Dolben.

The defeat means the Birchfield Road East outfit are now sixth in the table, a hefty 72 points off the title pace.

Finedon were always in control on Saturday once they had restricted Saints to 154 all out, with 27 from Geoff Jackson the top score.

Pick of the bowlers for Finedon was Tom Brett who took four for 48, and then Greig Hofbauer scored 44 to steer Finedon to a six-wicket win with 15 overs to spare.

Finedon are now 37 points clear at the top, with Old Northamptonians missing the chance to close the gap as they lost a in low-scoring match with Peterborough, who are second.

ONs had no answer to the old master Ajaz Akhtar as they were bowled out for 94, with Akhtar claiming six for 50 from 17 overs.

The only scorer of note for ONs was Zaakir Khawaja, who made 37.

ONs’ bowlers made a decent fist of making a game of it though, and at rushed out the first six Posh batters with less than 50 on the board as Afaq Babar (3-32) and Matt White (2-21) found their range.

But an unbeaten seventh-wicket stand between Lewis Bruce (30no) and Paul McMahon (20no) settled any Peterborough nerves and saw their side home at 96 for six in 31 overs.

Rushton seemed set for victory over over Horton House but were ultimately frustrated.

Skipper Andrew Reynoldson’s 127 and four for 32 had put Rushton in pole position for the win as they made 262 for nine (Will Smith 4-79, Luke Evans 2-40) and then had Horton in trouble at 76 for six and 112 for seven.

But number eight William Knibbs made 44 not out to help the House hang on for the draw at 143 for eight, with Sam Gascoyne having earlier made 37.

Wollaston slipped up against Oundle.

Having been the surprise package of the summer so far, Wollaston were unable to continue their fine start at home.

Chasing 196 for victory, Oundle edged home by two wickets thanks to 85 from Petrus Jeftha.

Chris Perry’s five for 56 went unrewarded.

Wellingborough finally tasted victory as they inflicted more pain on Burton Latimer in the basement battle.

They reached 191 for nine, but only after Thomas Howes hit 72 not out from number eight.

Burton got close but fell just short when they were dismissed for 182 with Karl Tapp and Kyle Bowie claiming three wickets each and Sam Owen taking four for 52.

The result leaves Burton 27 points adrift at the bottom after suffering their eighth defeat of the year.