Mudimi on form with bat and ball as Ashorne are beaten

As the unseasonably hot May weather continued, Ashorne and Moreton Morrell CC 1st XI were the visitors to Wolverton Road last Saturday - and were beaten by five wickets by Norton Lindsey & Wolverton .

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on the wicket that had proved so run-friendly the previous week.

A shaky start saw the loss of Andy Horley (0) and Anmay Shedge (5) as Ollie Watson and Steve Bliwert struck early.

Dave McInness took a sharp caught off his own bowling to remove Ashorne Captain Freeman without scoring, then Steve Bliwert had James Cutts (0) caught by McInness straight after.

This left Ashorne on 46-4 at the end of the 14th over.

Tom Cox (33) joined number three Thomas Husselby (77), and the pair recovered the innings with a 72-run stand.

After the departure of Cox, Ben Purser (26) continued the good work until he was caught and bowled by Simba Mudimo.

On his dismissal, the score had reached 173-6 at the start of the 37th over, and when Husselby was finally removed, Norton hoped to close the innings quickly.

However, only one more wicket fell as Moreton edged to 221-8 through Callum Rourke (18no) and Richard Moon (15 no).

The most successful bowler was Bliwert (2-18 off seven), although Mudimo took an expensive 3-50 off eight.

Tea was taken, giving a brief period of recovery for Norton after a long afternoon in draining conditions.

Harry Clarke (3) was out uncharacteristically early to give the visitors some encouragement.

But Mudimo (44) joined opener Jake Rushton (23) and they shared a stand of 82 runs, getting the reply firmly on track.

Both batters were out within a few balls of each other, but on 92-3, this brought skipper Andrew Dellow (54) together with Tom Wilcox (40).

The pair put together a 104-run stand in 11 overs to effectively crush any hope that Ashorne might still have.

It was then left to Oliver Watson (13 no) and vice captain Mark Reading (1 no) to finish the job as Norton crossed the line on 222-5 in under 33 overs.

Over at Moreton In Marsh, the second XI were asked to bat first having lost the toss.

Steve Berry (1) departed early, but Mark White (38) and Malcolm Henchley (43) laid a good base for the second wicket, which fell with the score on 70.

After White was out in the 30th over, the scoring rate just fell away, as only 33 runs were scored up to the break with wickets in hand.

Moreton bowlers Alec Hallam (2-15 off six) and Shaun Williams (2-14 off eight) effectively strangled the innings as Norton limped to 125-7 off their 40 overs.

Even with economical bowling , the hosts were able to bat steadily to pass the target in 34.1 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

Martin Hall and Jack Mann conceded just 48 runs off the first 16 overs, and Dave Jarrett 25 off his eight, but Norton could not apply sufficient pressure.

On Sunday, Hockley Heath CC arrived for a friendly fixture, won the toss, and decided to bat first.

They reached 233-9 off their 40 overs, with Afzal (61) and Ali (50) scoring the lion's share, Jack Mann taking three wickets.

In reply, Norton were bowled out for 128 within 28 overs, with Ollie Watson (39), Max Ashley (24), Joe Williamson (23), and Abi Simpson (12) the main contributors.

This weekend, Norton’s first XI travel to FISCC CC  on Saturday, while the seconds welcome Southam seconds to Wolverton Road.

Midweek cricket continues with a home T20 against Southam on Wednesday evening, then next Sunday, it's the annual fixture against the Tired Old Tigers CC.

Friday Frenzy carries on into June, with freshly cooked burgers and hot dogs from the barbecue once again.

It's a 6pm start for the AllStars (Reception – Year 2) and Dynamos (Years 3-4), then 7pm for Years 5-12 (hardball).

Norton Lindsey are sponsored by MRW Waste Recycling of Long Marston.