PREVIEW: Determined Town seek Rushton revenge

Tim Young plays for Peterborough Town at Rushton.

Revenge will be at the forefront of Peterborough Town minds over the next few days,

The city side face a crucial double-header against rivals Rushton.

They travel to a team four points and two places behind them in the Northants Premier Division tomorrow (June 11) before hosting the same opposition in the first round of the Northants Twenty/20 Cup at Bretton Gate next Tuesday (June 14, 6pm).

Rushton beat Town in a last-ball thriller in the cup last season. They also claimed a draw in controversial fashion in the corresponding league game 12 months ago. The teams were hauled off for bad light and light rain with Town a handful of runs short of victory.

“We had to play Rushton twice in four days last season,” Town skipper David Clarke recalled.

“It didn’t work out too well for us then so hopefully we can gain revenge this year.

“It won’t be easy though. Rushton have a strong side and they have been going well in the league.

“They are certainly a tough proposition at home as they have a wicket which is a bit ‘up and down’ and a very good South African bowler (Riyaad Henry) who can exploit that.

“But we will have been batting well lately so I’m confident we can post a winning score.

“Bowling wise we can improve, but we will get there.”

Joe Dawborn’s form is of most concern. He’s looked a pale imitation of the fast bowler who terrorised the Premier Division in the last two season, but he has still taken 10 more wickets (14-4) than Leicestershire Academy prospect David Sayer.

“I’m not worried about Joe long-term,” Clarke added. “Class will come out eventually.”

Town have named an unchanged side for tomorrow after free-wheeling batsman Tim Young overcame a hamstring problem.

There’s a big game in the Lincs Premier Division tomorrow when second-placed Market Deeping travel to leaders Grantham.

Table-topping Ramsey host Eaton Socon in Cambs Division One.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Saturday, June 11

NORTHANTS LEAGUE

(noon) Premier Division: Rushton v Peterborough Town, Oundle Town v Stony Stratford.

(1pm) Division One: Peterborough Town 2nds v Isham.

(1pm) Division Three: West Haddon & Guilsborough v Oundle 2nds.

LINCS PREMIER DIVISION

(noon): Bourne v Woodhall Spa, Grantham v Market Deeping.

CAMBS LEAGUE

(12.30pm) Division One: Godmanchester v Nassington, Ketton v Blunham, Ramsey v Eaton Socon, Waresley v Wisbech.

(12.30pm) Division Two: March v Cambridge Granta 2nds, Newborough v Weston Colville, Ufford Park v Huntingdon.

SOUTH LINCS LEAGUE

(1.30pm) Premier Division: Long Sutton v Belton Park, Market Deeping 2nds v Grantham 2nds, Spalding v Sleaford 2nds , Woodhall Spa 2nds v Bourne 2nds.

(1.30pm) Division One: Baston v Timberlands, Freiston v Spalding 2nds, Moulton Harrox v Welby Cavaliers.

(1.30pm) Division Two: Burgh v Long Sutton 2nds, Spalding 3rds v Pinchbeck.

HUNTS LEAGUE

(1pm) Division One: Burghley Park v Godmanchester 2nds, Castor v Ickwell, Southill Park v Ramsey 2nds, Stamford v Hampton.

(1pm) Division Two: Bharat Sports v Nassington 2nds, Orton Park v Warboys 2nds, Peterborough Town 3rds v Barnack.

(1pm) Division Three: Huntingdon 2nds v Hampton 2nds, Ramsey 3rds v Alconbury, Sawtry v Newborough 2nds, Werrington v Upwood.

(1pm) Division Four: Brampton v Ketton 2nds, Bretton v Burghley Park 2nds, Falcon v Hemingford Park, Ickwell 2nds v Castor 2nds.

Sunday, June 12

RUTLAND LEAGUE

(1.30pm) Division One: Barnack v Peterborough Town, Bourne v Oundle, Stamford v Market Deeping, Uppingham v Ufford Park, Wisbech v Nassington.

(1.30pm) Division Two: Ketton v Medbourne, Kings Keys v Castor, Newborough v Oakham, Whittlesey v Grantham.

(1.30pm) Division Three: Burghley Park v Weldon.

(1.30pm) Division Four: Orton Park v Easton-on-the-Hill, Ramsey v Hampton.

(1.30pm) Division Five: Castor 2nds v Alconbury, Market Deeping 2nds v Laxton Park, Peterborough Town 2nds v Sawtry, Weldon 2nds v Benefield.

(1.30pm) Division Six: Hampton 2nds v Long Sutton 2nds, Huntingdon v Whittlesey 2nds, Moulton Harrox 2nds v Newborough 2nds, Spalding v Orton Park 2nds, Uffington 2nds v Ufford Park 2nds.

Monday, June 13

STAMFORD CHARITY KO CUP

(6pm) Semi-final: Ketton v Market Deeping.

Tuesday, June 14

NORTHANTS TWENTY/20 CUP

(6pm) First round: Peterborough Town v Rushton.

STAMFORD CHARITY KO CUP

(6pm) Semi-final: Bourne v Barnack.

Wednesday, June 15

Jaidka Cup

(6pm) semi-final: Bourne v Oundle or Market Deeping (provisional).