Two outstanding all-round performances, and a sporting gesture from the opposition skipper helped Uppingham maintain their title push in the Rutland league.
Colan Bartram and Jamie Binley helped dismiss visitors Bourne for a modest total and then steered Uppingham home to a five wicket victory in the rain.
A couple of outstanding feats added gloss to the Uppingham performance in the field after Bourn
e elected to bat.
Scott Green took a brilliant, one-handed diving catch and then John Feetham executed a superb run-out.
Set a target of only 101, Uppingham were well on their way at tea on 46-1.
But they suffered a mini collapse at the restart to 58-5 and it was left to Bartram (19) and Bindley (26) to steer them home.
It might have been a different story, however, but for a sporting decision by the Bourne senior players, captain Cliff Spinks and Dave Christmas.
The sides went off for rain with Uppingham needing 11 to win, and Uppingham skipper Michael Beaver was grateful for Bourne's willingness to return to the field while the rain continued to persist.
Beaver gets a first chance to secure a trophy in his first season as skipper on Monday week with another meeting with Bourne, this time in the final of the Stamford Charity Shield at Burghley Park.
Uppingham will be hoping for a good turn-out by supporters in the 20-over game, which starts at 6.16pm.
And on Saturday, Uppingham face a stiff examination of their title aspirations when they face fellow table-toppers Market Deeping.
The full article contains 270 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
