CRICKET: PREPARATIONS for the new 2017 season ended on a sour note for Norton Lindsey & Wolverton after they fell to a five-wicket defeat against Lapworth in what was the club’s final pre-season friendly.
Batting first on a good home track, Norton made a steady start and with the score on 31, openers Martin Perfect and Steve Rushton were separated which started a steady rot.
Dave McInnes (20) and Joe Fisher (15) provided some resistance, but the innings closed on 142 after 36 overs. Perfect (44) battled against good bowling from Cross (12-2) and Mason (11-2) and was Norton’s top scorer.
Apart from opener Arnold, Lapworth also struggled to push their reply along, and Norton used eight bowlers to get a result.
Despite the retirement of Arnold on 53, the visitors dug in and managed to cross the line with five wickets and more than five overs in hand on 145.
McInnes achieved the most success with the ball, taking 3-20 off his eight overs.
Norton travel to North Devon this week for their annual tour, continuing their preparations for the opening Cotswold League fixtures against Wellesbourne on May 8.
