NCL ROUND-UP: Sibley on fire as Saints crumble against Brixworth

Chasing the visitors’ modest 140 all out, Saints were in total control at 80 for one and then 103 for three, but they imploded horribly to be dismissed for 137, losing their last seven wickets for just 34.

Colin Sibley and Alex Lacey were the destroyers in chief with the ball, claiming five for 46 and three for 43 respectively, while for Saints only Jack Johnson (63) and Alec Swann (23) made significant contributions.

The batting collapse overshadowed an excellent bowling performance from Corbyn Dolley earlier in the day, as he claimed five for 37 to bowl out Brixworth, Mirwais Muhammed chipping in with two for 32.

Tom Worthington and Paul Blakemore top scored for Brixworth, both scoring 27.

Oundle made it two wins on the bounce as they got the better of Old Northamptonians at Milton Road.

The visitors posted a competitive 217, with Richard Kaufman hitting 97 and Tom Webb 56, but Petrus Jefth (80no) and Cameron Wake 45 ensured the target was reached for the loss of five wickets.

At the foot of the table, Burton Latimer put a cat among the relegation pigeons as they claimed their first win of the season against Horton House.

The 22 points taken by Burton means they are now 11 behind both Wellingborough and Horton as the schedule nears the midway point.

At Denton Road, Nick Shelford and Damon Hanney took four for 34 and four for 28 respectively as Horton were rolled out for 102, Steven Jarvis making 36.

Luke Odell then made an unbeaten 67 as Latimer got home with four wickets to spare, despite the best efforts of Will Smith (4-55) and Luke Evans (2-22).

Peterborough’s last pair of Jamie Smith and Chris Milner survived the final 10 overs as the top of the table clash against Finedon Dolben ended in a thrilling draw.

At Bretton Gate, Finedon were restricted to a seemingly mediocre total of 147 after being put into bat.

Greg Evans top scored with 37 as the home attack shared the wickets around, Lewis Bruce the pick with three for 49.

And at 72 for one in 16 overs, Asim Butt making a quickfire 37, the home side looked to coasting to victory but Tom Brett (4-21) put the squeeze on to such an extent that seven wickets fell for 49.

But Milner, who batted 70 balls for an unbeaten 19, and number 11 Smith, who survived 24 deliveries, denied Finedon a maximum-points haul as Boro closed on 130 for nine.

Wollaston jumped above Peterborough into second place as they thrashed Wellingborough by 99 runs.

Mark Ralph’s unbeaten 100 and 61 from Liam Bates steered the year’s surprise package to 228 for six and Mark Gibbs (5-30) made sure that Wellingborough, who at one stage were 26 for six, were never in contention.

James Howes’ unbeaten 60 was the only bright spot as they were bowled out for 129 with plenty of time to spare.

County batsman James Kettleborough eased to an undefeated 106 as Rushton made short work of Stony Stratford at Campbell Park to win by 10 wickets.

Kettleborough and Ben Mansell (59no) were there at the end as Stony’s 171 (Dan Bendon 6-32) was overhauled with 25 overs to spare.