LANGLEYBURY produced another awesome batting performance to dispose of St Margaretsbury by seven wickets in the National Village Championships on Sunday, June 16, and march emphatically into the Area Final.

Chasing a challenging but acheivable total of 203 for victory, Nigel Ilott and Asad Khan, both timing the ball sweetly, gave the innings the perfect start with an opening stand of 55.

Ilott was then joined at the crease by Matt Fry, who was forced to play a leading role after the Langleybury skipper saw his innings hampered by a knee injury.

Fry, who featured in a century stand with Ilott in the last round, responded in breathtaking fashion with a wonderful 65 to put Bury within range of a victory that would avenge the defeat Bury suffered at the hands of the Division One pacesetters last season.

With Ilott looking immovable at one end on his way to his second unbeaten 78 of the weekend, Cliff Spinks provided the perfect foil at the other end as he smashed Bury to the brink, with an entertaining 28 off just 12 balls.

Having hit a six to level the scores, Spinks, in typical fashion, tried to end the match in style with another boundary, but was caught behind.

It was left to James Crowther to score the one run needed, with a staggering nine overs to spare, to spark jubilant scenes from the Bury players and travelling support.

"That was without doubt the highest moment in my cricket life," acclaimed Ilott.

"To play at Lords is still a dream of mine and it would great to do it with Langleybury, but we must take each game as it comes."

Langleybury now travel to face Botany Bay in the Area Final on Sunday.

June 21, 2002 11:30