TICKNALL CC (196-6) beat LULLINGTON PARK CC FIRST XI (155) by 41 runs

LULLINGTON Park ended their reign as Premier League champions with two disappointing defeats to finish in ninth place.

The first came on Saturday as they slumped to a 41-run defeat by Ticknall.

Lullington's restricted the powerful Ticknall batting line up to 196 from their 50 overs.

Graham Dent struck early, bowling skipper Luke Harvey for five, but Paul Borrington added 85 with Zain Abbas before hitting a waist-high full toss from Matt Sanderson to Wayne Harris at cover point when he had made 47.

Park's spinners then took over with Paul Dawson having Sam Jubber stumped by Richard Green for 21 and bowling Abbas for 64.

Sanderson (3-57) grabbed the last two wickets to fall, having Shahid Khan stumped for 12 and Ryan Cowley brilliantly caught by James Doherty diving forward at long-on for 16.

Despite Park's fragile batting, a score of around 200 should have been possible.

An opening partnership ended on 42 when Luke Harvey brought himself on for the 11th over of the innings and had James Doherty adjudged LBW sweeping for 15.

Wickets fell steadily with only opener Andrew Goodwin (29) and Wayne Harris, with a Premier League best of 34, offering much resistance.

Abbas added three wickets to his half century, claiming 3-29, to gain the man of the match award.