Alfreton cricketers on the climb

Alfreton were in the driving seat for most of the game against Lullington on Saturday as they posted 252-5 and, in reply, the visitors could only muster 223-8.

Asked to bat first, the home side got off to a slow start as they fell to 37-2, losing Mark Stokes (7) and Alex Mace (1) in the process.

However the ever reliable duo of Anthony Mosca and John Aspinall got their team back on track to set a decent total.

They had recovered the score to 120-3 before Aspinall (45) was the next man to fall just short of his half century.

Ryan Bramwell (13) and Mosca (74) then went on to fall in quick succession as the Alfreton innings once again looked like falling away.

Some much-needed end of innings impetus was required and Tom Bentley and Jake Simpson provided just that as the home side hit their highest total of the season.

Bentley (35 off 27) and Simpson (40 off 23) fired seven sixes and one four between them as they shared in an unbeaten stand of 95.

In reply, Lullington had a poor start as Elliot Savidge (2-34) removed Jonathan Shales and James Doherty.

However, from there partnerships began to build and the visitors got themselves in a position to push for an unlikely win.

Richard Green (98) was the mainstay of the innings, but when he was removed Lullington’s hopes seemed to go with him.

Matt Sanderson’s 41 and Thomas Caron’s 28 were not enough to push the visitors to the win they needed to reinvigorate their season.

Ben Slater was the pick of the Alfreton bowlers, ending with 3-59 as the away side closed on 223-8 in reply.

Alfreton’s next match comes away to top of the table side Ockbrook & Borrowash as they look to continue their good form.