Billingshurst run leaders close

Billingshurst were missing three players including Scott Sratton but still ran a talented Middleton side close

Billingshurst skipper Ben Williams is in positive mood about the rest of the season after running a hotly tipped Middleton side close on Saturday.

Batting first hosts ‘Hurst were bowled out for 157 on a damp track, and a good effort in the field then saw them take seven wickets before Middleton squeezed home to a fourth straight win to extend their lead at the top of Division Two.

Williams said: “We were missing three key players but I don’t want to dwell on that but focus on the fact that we pushed a really good side close and probably should have won the game.”

On a tricky wicket for batting, ‘Hurst were stuck in and Dhanushka Mitipolaarachi batted well to top score with 46, while Andy Barr continued to impress with 33. 16-year-old Jake Chadwick put on some useful late runs to get them close to 160, for the visitors off spinner Rob Willway impressed taking 6-60.

In reply Barr trapped familiar foe Sean Heath plum LBW the very first ball and a great start from the hosts h