ABBEY National moved clear at the top of Division I in the NatWest Indoor 6-a-side League last night after defeating title rivals Old Victorians.

The clash of last season’s joint champions at Fort Regent resulted in a 13-run Abbey victory to end OVs’ winning run.

Abbey captain Pete Blackburn said: ‘We were put in to bat and at 41 for 4 we were really struggling.

But a good partnership between Richard Gomersall and Jon Prince took us to 91 all out in our 12 overs.

‘Richard played straight and correct for his 58, it was an excellent innings and he received good support from Jon towards the end.’ Abbey then dismissed OVs for 78 in 8.5 overs, Blackburn grabbing three wickets for 13 runs in 1.5 overs and Ryan Driver chipping in with two for seven in two overs.

Blackburn added: ‘I was happy with our total in the end and we defended it well with good bowling all round.

We took wickets regularly and the only danger was Tom Minty who made 36.

‘Tom was explosive, hitting three 6s and one four.

It was a good win and I still expect the championship to go down the wire as we have to face OVs again in our final game.’ OVs captain Ward Jenner said: ‘A disappointing result for us but a good game on the night.

The quality of the bowling was excellent all round and that was shown in teams being able to field with three fielders on one side of the wicket and one on the other.

‘Tom’s innings was very powerful for a little boy but batting wise we did not perform.

The game was a much higher standard than many of the games in the division have been this season and we await the second meeting later in the season.’ JCA Seniors retained their two-point lead in Division II after they cruised to a 96-run win against Phoenix Knights.

Derek de la Haye (27 not out), Dave Gorman (25 no) and Dave Gascoyne (25 no) helped the Seniors to 119 for 2 before Mark Saralis (two for eight) and Gascoyne (three for 12) helped skittle the Knights for just 23 runs.

Springfield and JJCA1 both won to keep in touch with the leaders; Springfield defeating Barclays by 68 runs and JJCA1 winning by 37 runs against JJCA2.

Springfield totalled 126 all out following 31 from Charles Woodrow, 28 from Paul Robson and 27 from Michael Woodrow.

John Dean took two wickets for 17 runs.

Robin Pitch top-scored with 24 in Barclays’ total of 54 with Richard Parker taking three wickets for 27 runs and Michael Woodrow two for four.

JJCA1 closed on 115 for 4 after Dan Lundy (27 runs), Tom Wherry (31 run) and Tom Gibbs (20 runs) led the way.

Tom Coward took two wickets for 14 runs and James Quérée two for 30.

JJCA2 totalled 78 all out with Lee Meloy taking 2 for 9 and Wherry 3 for 13.