Rothley Park won the toss and elected to bat on a track that traditionally suits the batsmen. The game started late due to rain and initially each side was due to have 41 overs.

Daniel Apparicio and Jonny Gallagher opened the batting for Rothley and it was clear from the start that the two were in good form as the first ball of the day was driven through
mid-on for four. In the third over D Apparicio hit 4 fours which forced a change in the bowling line-up at a very early stage. The batsmen continued to punish the indifferent bowling. With the potential rain affected game the pair were keen to put as many runs on the board as possible.

With 50 runs coming from the first 7 over’s the signs were ominous for Bardon Hill to say the least. However, when D Apparicio was dropped in the mid-thirties it was clear fortune was in Rothley’s hands. D Apparicio, a former Loughborough University graduate and now a sports coach at Loughborough College was in scintillating form and moved onto 100 after 23 overs. With 25 fours coming from D Apparicio and 12 from J Gallagher the pair managed to put on a 200 partnership before D Apparicio was caught on 117. J Gallagher moved onto 75 before being bowled out. The damage had been done and the captain B Aspell and V Raj came to the crease to hit out before declaring on 280-2 in the 33rd over, giving Bardon Hill an extra 8 over’s to bat. B Aspell had hit a quick 55 before the declaration in 23 deliveries.

The rain looked as if it could cause problems for the away team in terms of a result, but credit to Bardon Hill who came out firing and looking to attack. In fact Bardon had a better run rate for the first 15 overs than Rothley had with their first three batsmen hitting some big sixes. It may have been cold and wet, but with a rock festival playing on the football ground next to the cricket the game would have been better suited for a West Indian beach.

With Bardon Hill approaching 100 from 14 over’s Rothley made the break through with 3 quick wickets from their off-spinner. From there the pendulum had swung back in Rothley’s favor and it was going to be a question of whether or not they were going to be able to bowl Bardon Hill out. The rain had started to affect the game and the overs were again reduced to 36overs for Bardon Hill. Rothley managed to get Bardon down to the 8th wicket which set up a tense finish to the game. Bardon Hill held on for a draw, but both teams were grateful in the end they were able to get at least some cricket in on a normal cold and wet June day!

Rothley Park are now looking to build on a solid start to the season in Division 4 and continue their push for promotion in what should be a gripping 2nd half of the season.