A DEPLETED Norton Lindsey and Wolverton CC suffered a narrow two-wicket defeat against Henley-in-Arden despite a half-century from Jake Rushton.
Norton posted 217-7 from their 45 overs as Rushton reached a half-ton while Dan Fell finished unbeaten just two runs shy of the same milestone at Henly Sports and Social Club.
However, an unbeaten half-century from Henley’s Noorul Hussein earned the home side a two-wicket win with eight balls remaining.
The result means Norton, who were without seven first team players for the clash with Henley, sit second in the Cotswold Hills League First Division table.
Henley won the toss and elected to field as Norton openers Joe Williamson (29) and Rushton (50) enjoyed an 86-run first-wicket stand.
Simba Mudimu (0) departed for a six-ball duck while Rushton fell soon after reaching his half-century which left Norton on 104-3.
Norton lost Tom Wilcox (4) cheaply while skipper Andrew Dellow (17) also fell with the latter struggling with injury.
Fell (48 not out) led a recovery effort in a 60-ball knock which featured four maximums but he lacked support at the crease although Jack Mann (14 not out) chipped in with late runs.
Norton reached 217-7 at the end of the innings as Chris Key (3-50) and Ishan Khan (2-24) proved the pick of the Henley attack.
Despite only having three fit first team bowlers available, Norton’s Ollie Watson (2-41) removed both of Henley’s openers – Thomas Williams (10) and Key (10).
Shamsher Nawaz (21) and Rahul Khadim (33) scored steady runs to boost the home side’s total before Hussein (55 not out) and Basan Uddin (26) pushed Henley towards the required target.
Henley still needed 68 runs from the final eight overs as Mudimo (1-25), Wilcox (1-30) and Steve Dellow (2-42) all took crucial wickets.
However, Hussein stuck to his task and, with support from James Bramwell (18 not out), guided the home side to victory in the penultimate over of the match despite late wickets from Williamson (2-43).
Norton are next in action against Adlestrop on Saturday, July 18 with play to begin at 12.30pm at Adlestrop Park.
