WILLOUGHBY CC secured a fourth successive win in Division Seven of the Northamptonshire Cricket League to move into the top-six and into the promotion race at the halfway stage of the season.
The club claimed a five-wicket win against previous leaders Desborough Town 2nds after bowling their opponent out for 142 before easing to the required total at The Green.
Batting first, Desborough struggled with the bat as they recorded a below-par 142 all out.
The home side took wickets at regular intervals as recent signing Stuart Bonthuys returned economical figures of 2-8 from his 10-over spell.
He was supported by Vikas Sangwan (2-35) whilst Callum Hanks mopped up the tail end to finish on 4-45.
Willoughby’s reply saw openers Hassan Nawaz (24) and Hanks (20) make a steady start to the innings.
And after a mid-order wobble, Ashley Rayner (39 not out) and Ben Hollis (29 not out) saw the hosts home with 10 overs remaining and five wickets in hand.
Willoughby’s 2nd XI romped to a 175-run victory against Great Oakley as they skittled the Northampton side for just 88 in Division 13.
The visitors impressed with the bat to post 263-6 from their 40 overs as openers Sean Thornton and Dave Alcock (44) helped Willoughby to 91-1 with the former scoring a quickfire 51.
Matt Goss (4) and Ian Andrews (24) both departed before Aiden Porter made his maiden half-century on his way to 87 not out.
Willoughby’s Fergus Deery ripped through Great Oakley’s batting order to finish with figures of 5-14 from 10 overs as Ryan Lines, Rees Moor, Alcock and Porter all picked up a wicket apiece.
And Willoughby’s Sunday XI made a hat-trick of victories for the club with a huge 170-run friendly win against Southam.
Willoughby batted first as the returning Anshul Satsanghi (42) and Yash Sanghani (18) made a strong start which was supported by Aiden Porter (38).
They were eventually bowled out for 225 before quick wickets from Ryan Lines (2-4) and Sean Thornton (3-4) put Willoughby in complete control as they eased to victory.
