Teams are riding high in table
OAKHAM's Sunday cricket teams are riding high in Divisions Two and Six of the Rutland League following two strong wins at the weekend.
In Division 2 Oakham's 1st beat March Town by 8 wickets with seven wickets falling to an in-form Rich Parsons, and in the 2nds match Neil Southern struck a century as Oakham 2nds snatched a win against Benefield.
The firsts sit second in the league, tight behind Medbourne, after cruising to victory over March in only 27 overs after their hosts chose to bat.
March opener Mills scored a half century but the run rate dropped once Oakham introduced their spinners.
Rich Parsons took his seven scalps for just 40 runs in 11 overs as March crumbled to 154 all out.
In reply, Oakham's openers hit the March bowlers to all parts of the ground with Rich Martin's batting especially aggressive.
He took a stylish 17 from the first over before losing his wicket in the 6th over on 39.
Sam Wills and John Mason then made very good unbeaten fifties as Oakham ran away winners.
Oakham skipper Graeme North said: "It's very pleasing to see Rich Martin back in the runs (200 in last three knocks) but we have a number of match winners such as Rich Parsons today and we bat all the way down.
"We have some big games coming up and I just hope form and availability remain good."
THE seconds top Division 6 after beating Benefield and even fielded the 9-year-old son of one of the players to stand in for the missing 11th man.
Southern hit 107 of the first 158 runs for Oakham and his belligerent century proved vital as Oakham's other batsmen failed to match his innings before Matt Osman (21) pushed the score beyond 200 for the innings closing on 208-9.
Best of the Benefield bowlers was Shacklock with an economical 5-37 in his 12 overs.
Shacklock made 43 and Ironmonger made 55 as Benefield made 188 with pace bowler Loz Green picked up 3 for 46 for Oakham.
Andrew Counsell, Oakham captain said: "This really was a victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.
"In the end a combination of youth and experience and a refusal to give up on lost causes meant that a quite unexpected 20 points was achieved consolidating our position near the top of the league."
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Weather for Stamford
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
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