Derby drama and Kibworth power on

Sykes first produced a devastating spell with the ball as his 10-2-20-6 ripped out the Harborough order and saw them crumble to 87 all out.

Nathan Welham chipped in with 10-5-28-2.

In repy, Lutterworth had a few early wobbles but Sykes (22) and Alec Hill (23) got them close enough to victory before both fell in their five-wicket win.

Kibworth are now 65 points clear at the top of the table.

Second-placed Sileby Town were leapfrogged by Loughborough when their match went the way of the latter.

And Kibworth took advantage to power on at the top.

Skipper Matt Craven was again the star, making an unbeaten 106 as his men chased down Hinckley’s 220-7.

Craven and Aadil Ali (52) set them on the way to a seven-wicket win with their opening stand with the captain remaining to the end with a 99-ball knock that contained 16 fours and two sixes.

Kibworth seconds were also in strong form as they beat Medbourne in Division 4E.

They reached 274-4 with David Greenhalgh 102 not out and Luke Spence 80 leading the way.

In reply Medbourne never got going and lost wickets regularly.

Although six players reached double figures they were all out for 111.

Harvey Clarke (20no) and Mattie Thompson (20) were the top scorers.

In the same division Dunton Bassett (221-7) just got the better of Thorpe Arnold 2nd (212 all out).

Dunton 2nd batted first against Countesthorpe 3rd and set a challenging target.

An opening partnership saw Neil Popat (27) and Adam Pickering dominate.

The latter went on to score his maiden hundred before getting out to the last ball of the innings for 101.

Pete Dixon contributed 44 as Dunton made an impressive 246-7.

In reply, Countesthorpe played safely so wickets were hard to come by.

Steve Bateman (3-14) came on and made the breakthrough but taking wickets remained a struggle.

Scott Tarbox (3-20) took three quick wickets but couldn’t force a Dunton victory and the game finished as a draw.