Opening bowlers Matt Southam (four for 29) and Jeremy Medlin (three for 23) soon ripped the heart out of the Earls Barton batting at Mill Lane on Saturday, as the visitors were dismissed for 123 inside 46 overs.

David Browne (50 not out) then steered East Haddon to a six-wicket victory on a day when Long Buckby batsman Sam Bevin did even better by hitting a century against Rushton IIs in
Division Three.

Bevin's 113 came off only 86 deliveries and included five sixes and 13 fours, while all-rounder Philip Wallace chipped in with 35 runs and three for 13.

Even so, Long Buckby (229 for nine) had to settle for a winning draw as Rushton held out at 168
for six.

It was a different story for Daventry in Division Nine, however.
Hit by holidays, captain Stuart Robinson's retirement and the defection to Badby of both Warren Courtney and David Dunn, Daventry (60 all out) lost to Obelisk (198) by 138 runs after being denied promotion to Division Eight because of ground
deficiencies.

Robert Biddell and Brian Farmer at least kept Daventry's heads above water with three wickets apiece on a day when Ashby Timken, West Haddon, Guilsborough, Heyford, Harlestone and the two Bugbrooke clubs were all in action higher up the 150-team league.

Other results included Ashby Timken's 30-run victory over Rushton IIs in a low-scoring Division Four game which saw the Cold Ashby side restricted to 101 for nine before dismissing their opponents for only 71.

Heyford (92 for nine) just held on for a draw against Guilsborough (187 all out), while in Division Five, Harlestone (140 for seven) also drew with Geddington IIs (226
for four).

In Division Nine, Harlestone IIs (200 for six) beat St Michaels (145) by 55 runs.

Saturday's fixtures include Overstone Park v East Haddon (Division Two), Long Buckby v Oundle (Three), Heyford v West Haddon, Higham Ferrers v Ashby Timken, Rushton IIs v Guilsborough (all Four), Harlestone v Brixworth IIs (Five), Bugbrooke v Earls Barton IIs, St Michaels 74 v Towcestrians IIs (Six), Cogenhoe v Badby, Yelvertoft v Wellingborough IIIs (both Seven) and Stony Stratford IIIs v Kislingbury (Eight).

The South Northants League and the Warwickshire League (featuring Barby and Braunston Paddox) both start on Saturday.