Nawaz and Rayner combine with bat to steer 1sts to comfortable win at Rothwell

A century partnership between Hassan Nawaz and Ashley Rayner guided Willoughby to a fourth straight win in the Northamptonshire Cricket League with a comfortable eight wicket success at Rothwell Town IIs.

The pair came together at the only the second ball of the visitor’s reply and were to put on 106 for the second wicket as Willoughby easily chased the host’s target of 118 for 7.

Earlier, the Willoughby attack had done their bit by restricting Rothwell to something of a modest total. A diving catch from skipper Ben Hollis off the bowling of Kamesh Ganti gave them the early breakthrough before Jake Quinney (0 for 14 off eight overs), Rayner and Nikesh Mistry combined economically to stunt any Rothwell progress. Their remaining opener Swingler and number three Henshaw made slow progress in the heat putting on 57 in 19 overs until Mistry (1 for 31) claimed Swingler’s wicket to finally break their somewhat patient partnership.

As Rothwell finally realised the need to up the run rate, Willoughby were finally rewarded with wickets late in the innings. Two wickets in an over for Rayner (2 for 23) was backed up by Ganti (2 for 22) and Fell (2 for 15) including the wicket of Henshaw who departed in the penultimate over for a top score of 52.

Despite Willoughby’s reply suffering another first over loss, Nawaz and Rayner were largely untroubled and looked set to see matters home until the latter departed having made exactly 50. Nawaz however remained and ended up 42 not out as Willoughby reached their target with 12 overs still in hand.