Second derby defeat for Park

CHAMPIONSHIP

Kiveton Park 95 all out

Harthill 164 for 8

KIVETON endured their second derby defeat in a week as Harthill inflicted a heavy defeat on the home side.

Last week Kiveton suffered defeat to arch rivals Anston and after this week’s defeat were left looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

Bowling first Kiveton, with a depleted side, tied down the Harthill batsman and were in control of the match for a long period of time.

Harthill’s opener Ian Batty (58) batted for a large proportion of the overs but his patient innings was perhaps pivotal to the match, particularly on a slow wicket where fluent stroke play was difficult.

Batty’s knock, along with support from Danny Anthony (38*) in the latter part of the innings, helped Harthill post a respectable score of 164 for 8.

Kiveton will have been happy with this total and were confident of victory after their bowlers had maintained a grip on the scoring rate for most of the innings.

Chris Storey (3 for 27) was Kiveton’s most successful bowler.

Kiveton’s reply began confidently, despite the loss of their returning Australian, Chris Hadley, early on.

The second wicket partnership of Richard Grainger (23) and Matt Cartwright (19) was starting to become threatening as the score moved into the 40s with the loss of no further wickets.

A turning point in the game seemed to be the rain delay which broke the rhythm of the Kiveton batsmen.

Soon after returning to the field of play, Kiveton lost both Grainger and Cartwright in quick succession and this sparked a collapse not seen in a long time from a Kiveton side.

Harthill bowlers James Radford (5 for 27) and Rob Jones (5 for 37) provided the damage as Kiveton slumped to 95 all out and a 69 run defeat.

The visitors were left to celebrate their first league victory over Kiveton for a number of years and will be looking forward to another season in the Championship, while the Stone Close men are looking over their shoulders in need of victories to secure Bassetlaw top flight status.

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