Peatfield ups the ante in blistering fashion at KGV

Instead, he went straight from second into overdrive with an astonishing burst of acceleration to take Independents back to the top of the Odey Wealth Evening League One table.

Having restricted Optimists to 134 from their 20 overs, a total reached only thanks to the efforts of Alex Bushell, who contributed more than half of the runs, Independents were never in danger of losing this one.

However, without regular opener Zak Damarell, the younger Peatfield brother was promoted to the top of the order alongside captain Nathan Le Tissier and progress for the first 12 overs of the run chase was steady but far from spectacular.

By that stage the partnership was worth 72, but although both batsmen had connected with a couple of decent shots apiece – Peatfield through the covers and Le Tissier more on the leg-side – they were short of fluency and had survived a couple of chances.

Then came the sudden, explosive acceleration, with Peatfield providing the vast majority of the fireworks.

His first 32 runs had come off 40 balls, his next 50 came off just 20 as the ball continually flew to the boundary in all directions. It was as if a message had come through that net run-rate could prove vital at the end of the season and that stirred him into action.

Young spinners Ollie Clapham and Max Johnson were initially targeted as overs 13-15 cost 35 runs to push Indies into three-figures, but the real onslaught was still to come.

Having bowled two overs in the powerplay at the expense of a respectable 14 runs, Alex Robin returned to the attack and, with added pace on the ball, Peatfield made hay.

The first two deliveries of the 16th over were driven over wide mid-off for four then, after picking up a couple having given a very tough over-the-shoulder chance off the third ball, he pulled another four through mid-wicket.

The best was yet to come though as the fifth delivery was lofted over the straight long-off boundary and the coup de grace was a sublime pick-up shot for an almost nonchalant maximum over the man stationed out in the deep.

The over had cost 26 and virtually denied Le Tissier the chance of his own half-century, but he was happy to settle for hitting the winning runs by driving the first ball of the next over to the rope.

Earlier, the older Peatfield brother Will had picked up three wickets, while there were two apiece for Kieran Le Gallez and Matt Stokes as Indies restricted Optimists to an under-par total.

However, there was plenty to enjoy in Bushell’s hard-hitting innings as he clattered four sixes and six fours as well as riding his luck at times in an entertaining 76 made from 54 balls before holing out late onto Justin Meades’ safe hands long-on.

Skipper Ben Maxton had chipped in with 24 at the top of the order, but only one other batsman reached double figures for the yellow-and-blacks.