Bowlers to the rescue as Old Northamptonians reach play-off semi-finals

Having totalled a modest 199 for eight in their 40 overs, ONs looked to be in a bit of trouble as Geddington eased to 89 for two in reply, with Bradley Armer and Jack Parker well set.

But it had been a bit slow going, and the run-out by Tom Webb of Armer for 45 set the victory wheels in motion for the Northampton side as the wickets started to tumble.

The Geddington middle and late order completely fell away in the face of some excellent bowling from Richard Kaufman (2-31) and Amrit Basra (3-48), and they fell short at 189 for nine, with Parker left stranded on 74 not out.

Earlier, ONs were indebted to half centuries from Kaufman (51) and skipper Thomas Hafil (55) as they set up what was to prove a winning score.

In this Saturday's semi-final, ONs will travel to Oundle after they saw off Overstone Park by seven wickets in their quarter-final.

The game was pretty much up at the halfway stage for Park as they were rushed out for just 95 in 24.2 overs, with Tom Cooke's 41 the standout innings.

Oundle then coasted to 98 for three to win in the 18th over, despite Premal Patel taking two for 35.

In the other quarter-finals, Finedon Dolben beat Desborough by 70 runs and Peterborough Town hammered Rushden & Higham by eight wickets.

Callum Berrill top-scored with 39 as a team effort saw Finedon post 194 for six, and that was more than enough as Desborough collapsed from 81 for three to 124 all out.

Among the wickets for Finedon were Tom Brett (3-12), Joe Grafikowski (3-36) and Drew Brierley (2-31).

Rushden & Higham's batsmen endured a nightmare as they were bowled out for 119, with opener William Bates (51) getting very little support before late efforts from Oliver Warwick (27) and Jahangir Ahmed (18no) lifted them from 82 for eight.

That was never going to be enough to trouble Peterborough who coasted to 120 for two in under 25 overs, David Clarke making 49 not out.