NORTON Lindsey and Wolverton CC made a winning start to the new season with a 48-run victory against Adlestrop.
Captain Andrew Dellow (95) and Tom Wilcox (50) led the way with half-centuries as the home side posted 298-6 from their 45 overs at Wolverton Road.
Adlestrop reached 123-4 after 24 overs in reply before heavy rain led to the abandonment of the fixture.
And with DLS calculations made, Adlestrop fell 48 runs short of the revised target.
The result means Norton take 19 points from their opening Cotswold Hills League First Division fixture of the season.
Norton won the toss and elected to bat but lost opener Harry Clarke (9) to the bowling of Max Hayman (1-20).
Fellow opener Toby White (6 not out) then had to retire hurt after taking a blow under his helmet which proved to be a broken jaw.
However, Simba Mudimu (40) and Dellow produced an 89-run partnership to lead the fightback.
And Wilcox and Dellow then combined for a 148-run stand as both batters scored half-centuries
Dellow fell just five runs short of a century from 76 balls while a staggering 52 wides aided Norton’s total.
Norton had one eye on the forecast with the home side keen to bowl the minimum 20 overs required for the match result to stand.
The hosts successfully kept the visitors behind the DLS score as Mudimu (3-27) and Dellow (1-10) took the crucial wickets.
Elsewhere, the club’s second XI claimed a four-wicket win at Stoneleigh in Division Four.
Norton bowled first on a difficult wicket and bowled out the home side for just 128 in 34.1 overs.
Only two batters managed double figures for the home side as Norton captain Stuart Prout-Richardson (5-24) claimed a five-wicket haul.
And a scintillating spell from David Jarrett (3-13) saw Stoneleigh lose their final eight wickers for the addition of just 28 runs.
Norton navigated the tricky wicket well in reply, aided by 32 wides from the home side.
Opener Mark White (19) and Matty Edwards (39 not out) held the innings together as Wolverton reached the required target with four wickets to spare in 34.2 overs.
Norton Lindsey travel to Ashton-Under-Hill on Saturday, May 9 with play to start at 12.30pm.
Norton’s second XI host Lapworth at Wolverton Road on the same day with play to begin at 1pm.
