North Enfield Cricket Club’s 1st XI claimed their first victory of the season at Preston on Saturday, as a strong all round performance culminated in a six wicket victory.
Another standout performance from stand-in captain Kieran Jones was vital in their win, as his 81 propelled them to their target of 145, after his 4 - 34 with the ball.
Tom Coughlan (12*) and Irfan Ali (1*) eventually guided the visitors to an important 30 points with 8.3 overs and six wickets remaining.
Much of the hard work had already been done by Jones though, whose 115 ball stay at the crease included nine fours and four sixes.
After the early loss of Chris Gillman (5) with the score on 20 - 1, Jones dominated a 66 run partnership with William Munt (20) and then a 36 run stand with Pat Honnor (14) to push his side towards the victory.
When he eventually fell for 81 with North Enfield just seven runs shy of victory, Coughlan and Ali were able to pick up the pieces and finish the job.
Jones also played an instrumental role in his side restricting the hosts to just 144 and a target that they were able to stroll home to.
He picked up four wickets in the middle overs to reduce Preston to 121 - 6, after earlier strikes from Steve Gandy and Tom Coughlan, when Preston had threatened to get off to a fast start.
There were brief signs of resistance from the hosts, but when Oliver Munt removed their captain courtesy of a diving catch from Coughlan, the writing was on the wall at 133 - 7.
The last three wickets then fell for just 11 runs, as Coughlan picked up another two wickets to end with the impressive figures of 3 - 8, and also affected a run out, whilst his third wicket was thanks to a spectacular, one-handed caught and bowled.
The 1st XI travel to Stevenage next week, hoping to build upon their encouraging victory, whereas the 2nd XI host Bamville after a 107 run loss to Old Cholmeleians this time out.
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