Mark Culleton's unbeaten 32 saw Aythorpe Roding over the line against Great Totham.

WITH a third place finish on the line, Aythorpe Roding needed to beat league strugglers Great Totham to finish the season in style.

With Bentley beating Hatfield Peverel in a low scoring fixture, Roding needed the win and bonus points to leapfrog them in the league.

Great Totham batted first and if Paul Gravatt’s side could keep the score low they could accrue the bonus points needed.

The bowling attack got off to a typical fast start, reducing the hosts to 71-6. Andy Clarke took four wickets, Sam Gravatt grabbed a brace and AJ Ford snared a victim.

Unfortunately for Roding the tail end put up resistance – Tony Hawkridge (28) and Howard Hardy-King (78) putting on a 92 run stand for the seventh wicket.

Great Totham were eventually bowled out for 198 – no bonus points for Aythorpe.

Chasing less than 200 runs meant only two extra batting points were available, which Roding easily took as they passed the target in 25.4 overs.

Sam Blackman hit an accomplished 65, including two sixes, and Callum Allington scored 73 as the pair put on a second wicket stand of 121. Mark Culleton’s unbeaten 32 saw Roding over the line.

The 16 points for the win, five points for bowling Great Totham out and two batting points meant Aythorpe first on 259 points, equal with Bentley as the sides shared third place.

Final score: Aythorpe Roding (199-4) beat Great Totham (198) by six wickets.