Lea Park second string hit top spot after Anston win

On the best day of the season so far, Lea captain Michael Overson won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat.

But despite the favourable conditions, a tight opening spell on a lively pitch saw openers Matt Saunders and Dom Bolderson make slow progress early on.

Bolderson departed for a patient 24, bringing skipper Overson out to the middle.

He and Saunders began to accumulate in a steady fashion, before the Lea captain was bowled by his Anston counterpart Darren Morris for 33.

Saunders (60) completed his first half century for Lea Park, while James Mann (6) found life at the crease tough.

This brought Andrew Lobley to the middle, and he, supported by Luke Walton, accelerated quickly through the final 10 overs, before he too saw his stumps clattered by Morris.

Lea closed on a score of 186-5.

Anston started their reply in positive fashion, before Graham Ward found his range to remove Proudman with a classic in-swinging delivery, and make the initial breakthrough.

Ward (2-22) claimed his second wicket in similar fashion, before Bolderson replaced him, and despite an indifferent spell, he managed to remove the dangerous looking Braithwaite for 33, and went on to claim and impressive figures of 4-20.

Rick Marshall claimed another wicket, while at the other end, Jim Roberts inevitably dried up the runs, producing five maidens in his six over spell.

Harry Street took the eighth wicket to fall, with Lobley claiming his third catch of the innings.

David Pattinson (2-32) then returned to take the ninth and 10th wickets, giving Lea Park 20 points which moved them to the top of the Division Eight table.

This Saturday, Lea Park II make the short trip over the river to face Wiseton.