Ian Crocker played a vital role in stretching Optimus’s lead at the top of NatWest Indoor Cricket League Division I at Fort Regent last night. Picture: DAVID FERGUSON (00838819)

THE Crocker brothers were in good form last night helping Optimus win the top-of-the-table clash in Division I of the NatWest 6-a-side Indoor Cricket League.

But it was certainly wasn’t plain sailing at Fort Regent against JJCA I as batting first, after being put in to bat, Optimus lost two wickets in the first over and then they struggled further by losing four of their top five wickets for only four runs as Nigel Crocker, Bradley Vautier and Brant Duncan were all out for first-ball ducks!

Ian Crocker, assisted by Darren Osmand, attempted to build some kind of total and, with Crocker eventually holing out for 55 in the final over, Optimus had a figure of 79 to defend. Pick of the bowlers for JJCA I was Alex Noel, with two wickets for 18 runs in three overs, and he assisted further with two catches.

JJCA I were unable to score freely off some accurate Optimus bowling, with Nigel Crocker taking three wickets for nine runs off from just under two overs.

Despite a resilient 24 from Michael Harvey, JJCA I were bowled out for just 53 runs with 3.1 overs to spare leaving Optimus victors by 26 runs, therefore extending their lead at the top to 16 points.