Pickering struck a spectacular 140 not out to haul his side ever closer to the 229 for 8 mark set by the hosts (Karl Smith 4 for 61, Nathan Welham 2 for 39).

Only two other team-mates managed to creep into double figures while Pickering went about his onslaught, but even that mighty contribution could not pull off the victory, Luttering closing on 217 for 8 from their 50 overs.

Lutterworth 3rds stayed in second place in their league with a 72-run win over Hinckley Amateurs.

Lutterworth were put into bat and made 192 all out. Sam Green led the way with 52, well supported by Tony Smith (49).

In reply, Amateurs were bowled out for 120. Opening bowlers Alex Julian and Steve Bradshaw bowled an excellent line and length, picking up three wickets each, with Matt Baxter chipping in with two.

Lutterworth 4ths travelled with a young side to face SPA at Kirby Muxloe.

They were asked to bat on an unpredictable wicket and lost their top threebatsmen quickly. Some middle order resistance from P Falmer (11) R Hallam (16), D Watson (16), J Thomas (11) and F Watson (10 not out) only delayed the inevitable. The final total was a low 75 and SPA comfortably achieved their target in the 14th over for the loss of two wickets.

Broughton Astley and opponents Twycross were involved in a thriller at The Rec, with the villagers falling just two runs short of their victory target of 188 and were able to claim only ten points from a losing draw.

On an excellent batting surface Broughton did extremely well to restrict their opponents to under 200 as Twycross made 188 for 6 in their 45 overs. Matt Gurney was again in the wickets, claiming 4 for 40 in his allotted 15 overs.

Broughton’s reply began well with Nathan Harris (65) and Marc Orton (42) putting on 92 for the first wicket. However the loss of the opening pair coupled with the loss of Ross Blockley (11) and Marshall Bunting (3) saw them collapse to 130 for 4.

Tom Patrick (26) looked to have put Broughton in sight of victory with 15 needed off the final three overs.

A further clatter of wickets saw Broughton requiring six off the final over, with one wicket in hand and with the injured Damian d’Araujo and Simon Heggie at the crease. It came down to the final ball with four required. Heggie and d’Araujo could only muster two runs and left Broughton agonisingly two runs short of victory.

At the halfway point of the season, Broughton are in fourth place. They entertain Leuva Patidar this weekend.

Broughton 2nds continued their revival with a winning draw against Whetstone 2nds. Luke Weston blasted 82, ably assisted by Jason Bailey (31) and Kev Hill (21) as the side amassed 211 for 9. Whetstone held out at 140 for 9, with Hill claiming 3 for for 25.

Bitteswell 1sts recorded their fifth straight win on Saturday when visitors Cropston became their latest victims.