Carr delighted by family affair as Checkley rise to summit

"IT WAS no competition," said skipper Andy Carr after his Checkley side hammered lowly Wedgwood Stanfields.

The crushing seven-wicket victory moved the Four Trees outfit back to the top of Division Two. And it owed much to strike duo Gavin and Iain Carr.

The bowlers claimed nine wickets between them to skittle Wedgwood for just 72. The only wicket escaping the Carr family was opener Ian Addyman, who was run out towards the start of the home side's innings.

Andy Carr said: "When a bowler like Iain is in conditions conducive to seam bowling, he is unplayable. Gavin at the other end – conditions were ideal for him as well."

Wedgwood had no answer to Checkley's twin-pronged attack with only Mitchell Edwards (28) reaching double figures before being trapped lbw by Iain Carr, who ended with 5-37. Gavin finished on 4-26, while professional Jason Brown was deemed surplus to requirements for the third time this season.

With just 73 required for victory, Checkley finished the job in less than 16 overs.

John Pickles set the ball rolling with 48 and fellow opener Nick Hunt also played his part with 19.

Brown may not have been required to further ruffle the Wedgwood batsmen, but the professional did at least hit the winning run to finish the day on 1 not out.

Checkley's celebrations were turned up a notch with news that Weston, who started the day four points clear, had suffered their second defeat in succession.

JG Meakin – who host Checkley tomorrow – turned over the Division Two high-fliers courtesy of a one-wicket victory.

Weston set a 175-run target following the prolific Raj Kumar's 83. But Ranil Dhammika (28), Matthew Redican (36), and Simon Baker (23) helped Meakins surpass the Weston total in the 58th over.

And Dhammika has been pinpointed as the main danger ahead of Checkley's away game tomorrow.

"He's a big scalp," said the Checkley skipper.

"It is going to be difficult. Certainly with the forecast this week the track is not going to be fantastic. That can be a big leveller. It is not a game to go into lightheartedly."