NORTON Lindsey and Wolverton CC completed their pre-season schedule with a 17-run defeat at Cotswold Hills Premier Division side Lapworth.
Norton skipper Andrew Dellow won the toss and put Lapworth in to bat first.
The decision paid dividends early in as Norton restricted Lapworth to 60-5 as Tom Wilcox and Jack Mann took the wickets.
Lapworth batter Jo Troth survived two scares on his way to 29 while another batter had to retire hurt when on a similar score.
Home captain Andrew Dickinson (40) dug in before Dellow (2-12) bowled him as Lapworth closed on 148-7
However, Norton made the worst possible start to their reply with Simba Mudimo and Wilcox removed without scoring.
Visiting skipper Dellow (32) and Jake Rushton (10) aided a recovery effort with the batting side always just behind the required run rate.
And solid scores from Mark Reading (18), Dave Jarrett (22) and Dave McInnes (13 not out) saw Norton close on 131-8 as Lapworth claimed a 17-run victory.
Elsewhere, Norton’s second XI also hosted Lapworth’s second XI at Wolverton Road.
And Norton made the most of a good wicket as openers Joe Williamson (31) and Toby White (100 retired) piled on the runs.
The run-fest continued as Dan Fell (83) and Mark White (36 not out) helped Norton close on 270-2.
And tight bowling from Martin Hall (2-20) and T White (1-6) saw Lapworth manage just 26 runs in the 11 overs bowled between the pair.
A century from Raj Singh (109 retired) proved in vain as Lapworth reached 204-7 to also hand Norton a 66-run victory.
The 2026 Cotswold Hills League season begins this weekend with Norton’s first team in Division One and the 2nd XI in Division Four.
