A HALF-CENTURY from captain Andrew Dellow inspired Norton Lindsey and Wolverton CC to a five-wicket victory against Ashorne and Moreton Morrell.

Dellow (54) blasted a half-ton from just 34 balls as Wolverton reached the required target in just 32.5 overs at Wolverton Road.

That came after Ashorne posted 221-8 from their 45 overs despite a big score from Thomas Husselby (77).

The result means Norton Lindsey sit second in the Cotswold Hills League First Division table.

Ashorne won the toss and elected to bat only for Ollie Watson (1-34) to strike with the third ball of the match as he clean bowled Andy Horley (0) for a duck.

And Anmay Shedge (5) also fell cheaply to the bowling of Steve Bliwert (2-18) who also accounted for James Cutts (0).

Dave McInnes (1-36) showed sharp reactions to dismiss Ashorne captain Ben Freeman (0) caught and bowled for a three-ball duck with Ashorne in trouble on 46-4.

However, Husselby and Tom Cox (33) steadied the ship for Ashorne with a 72-run fifth-wicket stand before Simba Mudimu (3-50) removed the latter.

And Mudimu then caught and bowled Ben Purser (26) before he claimed the crucial wicket of Husselby who lasted 108 balls at the crease.

However, Callum Rorke (18 not out) and Richard Moon (15 not out) dug in with the bat to push the visitors past the 200-run mark.

Norton lost opener Harry Clarke (3) in the third over of their reply as Ashorne made an early breakthrough.

However, Jake Rushton (23) and Mudimu (44) combined for an 82-run second-wicket stand only for both batters to fall in quick succession.

The dismissals brought Dellow and Tom Wilcox (40) to the crease together as the pair enjoyed a 104-run stand in the space of 11 overs.

And Watson (13 not out) and vice-captain Mark Reading (1 not out) guided Norton to victory with five wickets and more than 10 overs to spare.

Elsewhere, Norton’s second XI suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Moreton-in-Marsh at Batsford Road.

Moreton won the toss and elected to field as Norton recovered well from the early loss of Steve Berry (1)

However, Mark White (38) and Malcolm Henchley (43) combined well in a 68-run second wicket stand.

The departure of both batters saw the run rate fall with only 33 runs scored up to the break between innings.

Only David Jarrett (19 not out) managed double figures of Norton’s remaining batters as the visitors closed on 125-7 at the end of their 40 overs.

Norton made a couple of early inroads with the ball as Martin Hall (1-27) bowled Steve Dummer (15) and Max Ashby (1-25) removed Alec Hallam (6).

However, Arran Bovington (47 not out), Adam Winter (23) and Archie Gillett (16 not out) helped Moreton to victory in 34.1 overs with seven wickets to spare.

Norton Lindsey are next in action against FISSC on Saturday, June 6 with play to begin at 12.30pm at Knights Lane.

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