Clumber power into second place

They clinched a winning draw at home to Everton, making 237 for 4, and restricting their visitors to 205 for 9.

Having elected to bat first, skipper Mark Dean led from the front and alongside Dave Beard posted a third consecutive 70-plus opening stand, before Beard fell for 49.

Gaz Beard joined Dean and the pair compiled a superb 135-run partnership. If the cultured Dean was a silky vintage cognac then the brutal Beard was the Jaegerbomb, pumping the ball to all parts.

Dean fell near the close for an excellent 81 while Beard finished on an equally impressive 79 not out.

With the surface playing well the hosts opened with spinner Rob Hampstead and had immediate joy as he broke through in his first over.

However, the excellent Mimms and Eldread (42) put Everton in a position of strength and by the 30th over the visitors had reached 148 for 2.

The hosts perfected their party-piece once again though and turned the screw in the latter stages.

Mimms eventually fell for 83 and as the run-rate reached six an over Gaz Beard (4-51) and Warren Rhodes (3-24) routed the lower order.

It was another fine performance from Clumber who took a vital 18 points to leapfrog rivals Harthill.