|
Clay Cross (27pts) 260-2 [46 overs] (S Bhatt 166, A Eyre 33, J Lemon 42*) beat Darley Dale (3pts) 140 all out [40.1 overs] (D Briggs 35*, J Branson 4-36, D Greaves 4-33) by 120 runs
After a fabulous first half of the season which has surely exceeded the expectations of all at the club the first team welcomed Darley Dale to Sharley Park to start the second half of the season. The Cross started the season with a 27 point win at Darley Dale and after losing the toss and being asked to bat by the visitors they hoped to make it another in this game. After some heavy morning rain had cleared up it left the wicket a little on the wet side but as normal the wicket played far better than it actually looked.
One of the major improvements this season upon others has been the solid opening foudations set in place by openers Eyre and Bhatt and this game was no different. Bhatt looked to dominate the bowling whist youngster Eyre set about his role in a calmer but no less effective manner. The pressue was immediately on the Darley Dale bowlers but they had no answer prior to drinks. It wasnt until the score had reached 116 that Eyre was first to fall when he was bowled for 33 by the vistors overseas Heshan Tillakaratne. This allowed Lemon jnr the chance to go in without much pressure as he was promoted to three in the batting order. He batted steadily playing his part in a fine partnership with Bhatt who was still going strong. Bhatt reached three figures from 106 balls and went on to score 166 before he was harshly adjudged LBW to the bowling of Tillakaratne when he appeared to get a healthy chunk of bat with just a few overs of the innings left. The returning Greenhalgh went in for the closing stages and the innings closed on 260-2 with Lemon jnr making 42*.
In the field the cross lads were bubbling with confidence after some good bowling displays in recent weeks and this game was no exception. The Cross made an important early breakthough when after showing some intent to get on with it Tillakaratne fell in the third over of the innings to the bowling of Branson. After some arrogant swipes off middle stump he went for one hit to many and skied the ball to point where Lemon jnr made no mistake to take the catch and carry on his sequence of important catches. It took a while for the second wicket to come as Darley Dale dug in and scored fairly quicky but again it was Branson that made the breakthrough when an excellent leg stump yorker was enough to remove captain Johnson. The third wicket fell when Branson struck for a third time as he got Watts to glove the ball to Greaves at gully. Then it was Greaves turn to get into the batting line up as he started to find his line and length. He took the next three wickets to fall hitting the stumps twice and then the first of four catches for Hartley before Greenhalgh struck to make it seven wickets down. Greenhalgh had taken some punishment but he eventually struck when the ball was hit straight to Greaves at mid on for a simple catch to end a stubborn 8th wicket partnership. The 9th wicket was equally difficult to come and after Gardiner had swapped ends allowing Branson to return with the wind behind him it was Branson who managed to induce a catch behind to Hartley after a frustrating spell of playing and missing from the number 10 batsman. With 5 overs remaining it was left to Gardiner to snaffle the final wicket as he cramped the number 11 for room as he attempted a pull shot and it looped up and over the keeper allowing Carley to shuffle round from slip and take the catch and seal a 120 run victory and a double over the visitors. Another impressive performance from the first team and following Pilsleys defeat to Belper Meadows they now have a 44 point lead at the top of the table and are the only unbeaten team in the division.
Scorecard
Darley Abbey (4pts) 76 all out [27 overs] (M Harland 7-22) lost to Clay Cross (27pts) 152-8 [46 overs] (S Eyre 37, M Harland 33, P Smith 3-39, S Hughes 3-41) by 76 runs
Designated tosser John Green lost the spin and Cross were inserted on a wet deck in lovely surroundings at Darley Abbey. Openers Else and Plant didn't last long, both falling to Hughes for 3 and 13 respectively. This brought together a partnership of youth and experience with Steve Eyre joining young Jordan Burrow. Both batted inteligently on a difficult wicket and moved the score along. Eyre was the main aggressor before being bowled by P.Smith for 37. John Green hit a massive 6 before running himself out and Burrow was dismissed soon after for a well made 28. This left the lower order get Cross to a workable total which they did in fine style with Mark Harland finishing unbeaten on 33. Cross closed on 152-7 which was a good effort on a difficult pitch to bat on. Pick of the Abbey bowlers were P.Smith with 3-39 and S.Hughes with 3-41.
After tea Abbey set of quickly before the Evergreen Andy Ogden had Roe caught by Jordan Crowder for 9. It then became the Mark Harland show as the medium pacer found the pitch to his liking and bowled superbly ripping through the Abbey batsmen. He bowled with great variation and skill to return amazing figures of 7-22 from 9.2 overs. The only real resistence came from S.Smith who made 18 before John Green trapped him LBW. An a mention must go to Jordan Crowder for a quite stunning catch to get rid of J.Cunliffe, young Crowder sprinted 10 yards from mid off, dived and took the ball inches off the floor in his left hand, a truely remarkable effort. Ogden bowled extremely well and ended up with figures of 2-19 from 10 overs with Green bagging 1-1. Abbey were bowled out for 76 giving Cross 27 points and getting them back to winning ways after a dodgy couple of weeks.
Scorecard
Alfreton (5pts) match cancelled v Clay Cross (5pts)
The third team fell foul of the weather as their game against Alfreton at Mortimer Wilson School was cancelled on Saturday morning.
|
Author: Sunil B
Date: 07-07-08 14:16
Good report Branno.
Who has got batting prize this week?
Can you please inquire?
Thanks.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: jonb
Date: 07-07-08 14:21
It will be posted on TFO as and when its sorted....dont know who picks it so cant chase it up!!
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Chief 2
Date: 07-07-08 14:26
Unlucky Sunil. Rule 17g has just been envorced.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Chief 2
Date: 07-07-08 15:03
Ask any member of the club face to face as we are not allowed to publish it as it for club internal use only.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: jonb
Date: 07-07-08 15:29
For what its worth i've had a quick scan of Saturdays results and cant see anyone with a higher score than 166 and also no one bettering Harlands 7-22 haul so every chance you could get the nod....that said Chief could end up being correct!!
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Wayne Mardle
Date: 07-07-08 17:24
Mark Varley from Holmewood got an 8 for on Saturday
The prize is done purely on most runs and best analysis
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: jonb
Date: 07-07-08 18:32
On TFO now...Sunni did get the batting prize and Mark Varley the bowling.
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
