Report: Steelbacks v Bears, Second XI T20
Craig Miles took a hat-trick and Ed Pollock struck 50 as the Bears edged a final ball nail-biter in exciting fashion.
Choosing to bat first in Kettering, the Bears halted the Northants batsmen in the final overs with the hosts finishing on 165 for nine.
Craig Miles’ hat-trick in the final over and a Tim Bresnan double wicket 19th over restricted the Steelbacks to just six runs in the last two overs. Dan Mousley (2 for 24) and Danny Briggs (2 for 42) picked up the other wickets as Northants looked to be heading towards a loftier total.
The Bears reply started in earnest with Ed Pollock and Adam Hose putting on a 49 opening partnership. When Pollock fell for 50 (39 balls, six fours, two sixes), the visitors looked set at 93 for three in the 12th over.
But 22 balls later, the Bears were 116 for eight with Tim Bresnan and Craig Miles at the crease needing a partnership. The pair did just that, adding 36 from 12 balls, before Miles’ dismissal (13), left the Bears needing 14 runs from seven balls with one wicket in hand.
Jake Lintott (11*) coming in at eleven was undeterred however, firing two fours, a two and a single, leaving Tim Bresnan just two runs to win off the final ball. The all-rounder completed a fantastic comeback with a well-struck four down the ground.