Osmond and Kirby dominate at Donny

BOWLER Alex Osmond picked up where he left off last week to guide Cleethorpes to a seven-wicket victory at Doncaster in the Oxbridge Yorkshire ECB Premier League.

Batsman Bill Kirby produced another classy display to finish 83 not out and help Clee collect all eight points.

The emphatic victory moved the Meggies to within one point of Doncaster, who cling onto fifth position.

After winning the toss and inserting the home side, Cleethorpes quickly captured two wickets. Andy Ellis, who was unlucky not to claim a third, had put Doncaster on the defensive.

The run rate dropped below two an over with only 43 being scored from the first 22 overs.

Amitpaul Kundra and Graham Attenborough took the score to 92 before Cleethorpes turned to an all-spin attack when Harry Clewett joined forces with Alex Osmond.

Osmond trapped Kundra in front of his stumps before Attenborough, with the total on 116, fell to a stunning catch by James Osmond which triggered an amazing collapse.

The two Cleethorpes spinners created havoc as seven wickets fell for just 37 runs in the space of 11 overs.

Osmond's final return of six for 52 (his third five-wicket haul from the last four

games) increased his total wickets to 60 for the season.

He was well supported by Clewett's two for 30, which left the Meggies needing 154 for victory.

Cleethorpes openers Ishan Mutaliph and Kirby gave their side a rapid start as the bowling was flayed to all parts of the Town Fields ground.

Mutaliph, showing the destructive shots he is capable of, saw off pace bowler Michael Chadwick, who conceded 32 runs from his opening three overs.

Alex Gosney was hit for two boundaries by Mutaliph, bringing up 50 in the eighth over, before having the Sri Lankan caught at long off.

Doncaster claimed a second wicket 16 runs later but a partnership developed between Chris Wragg and the confident looking Kirby.

Looking completely in control, Kirby reached his fifth half-century of the season before hitting Luke Townsend back over his head to bring three figures onto the score board.

Wragg, who had been playing a supportive role, was then bowled by Andrew Parkin Coates with their total on 113.

That, however, was the home side's last success as match winners Kirby and Alex Osmond eased the Meggies to their target with 23 overs to spare.

Kirby never gave a chance during his flawless innings of 83, which took his tally beyond the 800-run mark, and he will be looking to increase his impressive figures when the Meggies travel for a fixture against the league's bottom side Hull today.