Hyde Continue March To Title

Despite missing several key players Hyde saw off Oulton Park with a comfortable five-wicket victory on Saturday. 

After winning the toss the league leaders chose to bowl first and they made an early breakthrough with skipper Danny Cranmer having opener Mark Latham (0) caught at slip with just 10 runs on the board.

Four balls later and Cranmer struck again removing Andy Mills for eight. 

The visitors found it tough going against some excellent bowling and when Danny Leech (21) became the third man to go Oulton Park were 38-3 off 19.1 overs. 

Andrew Jackson took the next wicket and, like Cranmer before him, he claimed a second wicket in quick succession as he had Callum Begg trapped leg before wicket to leave the relegation threatened side 42-4. 

Rob Sehmi showed his class with an excellent innings, but he had little in the way of support with no Oulton Park batsman, Leech aside, getting more than 14.

Luke Young took 4-33, including that of Sehmi  for a well-made 72. 

When he was out the visitors were 155-9 and four runs later they were all out meaning Hyde needed just 160 to claim maximum points. 

They got off to a flying start with Tom Partridge and Young bringing up the 50 partnership in the 13th over. 

The pair put on 86 for the first wicket before Partridge went for 44. 
This brought about a mini-collapse and Hyde were soon 87-3, with Young (40) and David Fisher (0) joining Partridge back in the pavilion. 

Jackson (28) and Rohit Acharya (20no) added 30 for the fourth wicket to ease any nerves and then Cranmer and Acharya took Hyde to the brink of victory before the former went for 17. 

With six needed Hyde cruised home with plenty of overs in hand to lead the table with just four games left. 

This weekend sees them travel to Brooklands. 

Score: Hyde 162-5    Oulton Park 159ao