NCL ROUND-UP: Willey stars with bat and ball as ONs thrash Saints

HOW IS THAT? - Horton appeal for a wicket during their premier division clash with Rushden (Picture: Dave Ikin)

ONs’ batsmen enjoyed themselves in the clash at Birchfield Road East as they totalled a hefty 297 for two, and leading the way was Northants man David Willey who struck an unbeaten 84 from just 63 balls, hitting seven sixes and five fours.

There was also 82 for Tom Webb, 56 for Rob White and a hard-hit unbeaten 52 for Zakir Khawaja, which included six sixes.

Saints were never in the hunt in reply, and were bowled out for 178, with Corbyn Dolley and Mark Wolstenholme both scoring 39.

Willey continued his rehabilitation from his back injury and claimed three for 20 from eight overs, while White took three for 56. There were also two wickets apiece for David Wigley and Aiden Fowkes.

Horton House suffered a rare defeat, going down by 39 runs to Rushden.

Mike Phillips top scored with 40 as Rushden were bowled out for 166, with Andrew Neate (4-58) the pick of the Horton bowlers, with Will Smith taking three for 51 and Charlie MacDonnell two for 18.

Horton would have been confident of victory, but had no answer to the bowling of Simon Branston (4-52) and Will Sheridan (4-31) and were skittled for only 127, Gary Herbert making 30.

Stony Stratford had a good day as they beat Brixworth by 19 runs.

James Pickles top scored with 48 in Stony’s 174 for eight, with Russell White weighing in with 36, and Sam Bold and Fred Newborough both taking a couple of wickets for Brixworth.

Ashley Starmer then did his bit with the bat for Brixworth, scoring 52, but he didn’t receive much support, Peter Caunt the next best with 29, as his team were bowled out for 155.

Alex Strong snared four for 47 for Stony and Graham Simpson took three for 18.

Finedon Dolben returned to winning ways with a 73-run victory over struggling Wollaston.

Greg Evans top scored for Finedon with 42 as a number of good contributions enabled them to make 243 for nine declared from 52 overs.

Will Sneath then took over as the he registered figures of six for 44 as the home side were bowled out for 170, Chris Perry complementing his four for 73 with 63.

Rushton’s excellent form continued at Oundle as they won by 80 runs.

An unbeaten 50 from Marc Jackson enabled the visitors to reach 218 for seven, and this proved to be more than enough as Jake Higginbotham’s five for 23 dismissed Oundle for 138.

Petrus Jeftha and Alex Martin both made half centuries - 52 and 50 not out respectively - which proved to be in vain.

It was defeat number seven for Burton Latimer as they went down by 81 runs at Peterborough.

The visitors did half of the job well as they bowled Peterborough out for 145, Ethan Delargy taking four for 27, but their reply was disappointing as they were skittled for 64 with Joe Dawborn snaring four for 20.