ON a slow wicket and a damp outfield, scoring runs is always going to be difficult.

And so it proved when Rutland entertained Ticknall at The Rec on Saturday, yet the testing conditions produced a riveting encounter with the visitors just taking the spoils.

Ticknall batted first, and after losing a quick wicket, a second wicket partnership of 82 between opener Luke Harvey (63) and Jack Lamb (22) was the backbone of their innings.

When captain for the day George Moulds brought himself on to bowl, he wrought havoc among the remaining batsmen, taking six wickets for 40 runs and being ably supported by South African Jay Adendorff, who bagged a couple of wickets with his off-spin.

The visitors folded to 131 all out, being bowled out on the last ball of their 50 overs.

Ilkeston, in their turn, also found run-scoring difficult and were soon in trouble at 37-5. Fortunately the wicket began to dry out and the later batsmen prospered.

Being capably led by wicket-keeper Andy Hislop (43), who is rapidly becoming a fine acquisition for the club, Rutland recovered with other useful contributions from Ian Banks (14) and young Sam Moulds (11), to come within sight of victory.

After Hislop's dismissal, the final pair of Rob Green and Ben Moulds decided to bat-out the last two overs instead of risking defeat, and Rutland settled for a losing draw at 124-9 with nine points gained.

Ilkeston have a double-header this weekend, as on Saturday they travel to Alfreton, before hosting Chesterfield on Sunday, both with 1pm starts.

- Rutland had an easy passage into the second round of the national knockout competition when they beat Ibstock Town by 95 runs.

Top run-scorers for Ilkeston were David Smit (60), Kevin Leatherday (53), Tom Brandrick (43) and Andy Hislop (45 not out)

Rutland posted a total of 246-8 from their 45 overs, and Ibstock never seriously threatened the target, being bowled out for 151 in 39.3 overs.
George Moulds was again top bowler with 3-23 from 5.3 overs.