Williamson enjoys a satisfying afternoon

IT was a very satisfied Robin Williamson who led Quarndon to their fourth win of the season but their first successful run-chase of the campaign.

“It's only the third time we've scored over 200 this year and the first time we've even got near to winning batting second, so I'm very happy,” he said.

“The previous week, we had batted second at Ilkeston Rutland and, while we were never in with a sniff of winning, we were never going to lose it either and that helped our confidence.”

Quarndon made full use of the three extra overs earned by bowling out Sandiacre Town inside 47 overs in the first innings of the game, winning in the 52nd over of their own knock.

“Those three overs gave us the chance not to go after it so early,” he said.

“There was a bit of momentum for them in the middle of the innings when they got a couple of quick wickets and I thought 'I can't get out.'

“But the extra overs bought me a bit more time. Their bowlers bowled well in the middle but we knew they couldn't bowl all the way through.

“I'd like to have kept it ticking over a bit more but the plan was always to go for it late on if we hadn't lost more wickets.”

He and Kevin Hollis did that successfully with a stand of 63 in 12 overs but the foundations for victory had been laid earlier by efficient bowling and a solid start with the bat.

There were plenty of individual highlights for Williamson to savour – not least James Ede's involvement from the start for 87 overs of the game to take four wickets and score 73 runs.

“It was a terrific effort from James,” said Williamson.

“He hasn't been batting too well this season but that's a big score now two weeks running and he deserves it, because no-one works harder at his game than him.

“I was also pleased with James Blackwell, who bowled well after being away for three weeks, while Ben De Vos was on a plane back from South Africa for 38 hours the day before the game, so that was a top effort from him as well.

“It was a good, all-round enthusiastic display.”

Ede, the side's vice-captain, reflected on a second tiring week, in which he again followed a long bowling spell with a big innings.

“I'm just a little bit tired,” he said, “But it's better to be involved than not. I bowled a few too many four-balls but I've generally been bowling pretty well this year, with a good rhythm.

“I haven't opened the batting before and lasted but it was nice to get the chance, because I've struggled for runs big time this season.”