KNIGHTON skipper Tim Gasch made a rare correct call to win the toss at title chasing Highley and deliberated for a while before eventually deciding to bat in this Crusader Worcestershire League Division Five clash.
Openers Bob Gittins and Mark Evans were hard pressed to stay there against the accurate seam bowling of Junior Boyce, who had taken five Knighton wickets earlier in the season.
He eventually trapped Gittins for 11, but skipper Gasch joined Evans and a useful second wicket partnership was developing until both went in quick succession, Evans for a patient 26 and Gasch for 27.
Fine spell
This was the start of a middle order collapse as Boyce troubled all the batsmen to finish a fine spell of 12 overs with 3-19, including eight maidens.
John Humphries (26 not out) and Dan Pullen (9 not out) battled well to lift Knighton to a respectable 144-8.
Highley started confidently and put on 69 for the first wicket until first change bowler Matt James made the breakthrough.
The home batsmen were always in control and although James bagged a second wicket and Hipkiss returned to claim another, Highley coasted home to record a comfortable seven-wicket win with 12 overs to spare.
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