Cobb's all-round display guides Seconds to victory

Date: Saturday 16 April 2011

Spinners James Sykes and Josh Cobb helped Leicestershire Second XI to a six-wicket victory against Northamptonshire in the three-day Friendly at Ratcliffe College.

After taking three wickets apiece in the first innings, Academy prospect Sykes took 5-75 with his slow left armers and skipper Cobb took another three wickets as Northants, who resumed on 56-3, were bowled out for 206 second time around.

That left a target of 27 and although Northants' slow men Rob Keogh and Tom Brett took two wickets apiece, Leicestershire completed an excellent opening win under new coach Lloyd Tennant.

Cobb's bowling performance was on the back of a good batting display on the first day of the game as he, Paul Dixey, Ned Eckersley and Wayne White all made half-centuries as Leicestershire posted 390-8 declared.

Former Kent wicket-keeper Dixey fell five short of a century while Cobb (76), White (56) and Eckersley (55) also played well as the team put a good score on the board in their first innings of the campaign.

In reply, Northants faced a tricky little period but came through it unscathed in posting 12 runs but struggled on the next two days.

As well as Sykes and Cobb taking three wickets apiece, Alex Wyatt chipped in with a brace as Northants made 210 in their first innings.

Northants were then invited to bat again and the bowlers claimed three more wickets as the visitors closed on 56-3.

That represented a deficit of 114 going into the final day and although they avoided an innings defeat, Leicestershire prospered to get their season off to a fine start.