Second XI Review of 2008 Part 2 || Clay Cross CC - The Official website of Clay Cross Cricket Club. News and Message Boards. For true Clay Cross Cricket Club fans.

After 11 games Clay Cross 2nd XI found themselves top of 4N, the second half of the season would determine what divsion they would be in for 2009, would they win promotion to the new 4N to rub shoulders with the great and the good from Ashover, Clowne and Langley Mill or consolidate and become part of the new 5N.

The home stretch began at picturesque Darley Abbey, thanks to a composed 28 from youngster Jordan Burrow, 37 from Steve Eyre and a beligerent 33 not out from Mark Harland The Cross posted a total of 152 for 8 which left the game in the balance. Abbey got off to a decent start but they didn't reckon with coming up against Mark Harland who was in devestating form with the ball. Harland returned outstanding figures of 7-22 to help bowl Abbey out for 76 giving Clay Cross 27 points and a great start to the second half.

The next game was at home to Shipley Hall. Clay Cross batted first and the batting unit failed to deliver with only James Sullivan (34*), Steve Eyre (30) and Mark Harland (21*) saving them from a woeful score. In the end a score of 136 proved too hard to defend as Shipley managed a 5 wicket win despite 2 wickets for John Green.

Cross then travelled to Denby and were on the wrong end of the result for the second week in a row. 4 wickets from Mark Harland helped to restrict Denby to 161 but Clay Cross never got going and were bowled out for a pitiful 77 with only Chris Plant (35) getting into double figures.

This woeful performance was to signal the end of Steve Else's captaincy. Unfortunately Steve felt after leading his team to a great position in the league he was no longer enjoying the role and wanted to concentrate on just playing so for the next game against Breadsall the reins were handed over to vice captain John Green.

Breadsall batted first and crawled to 189 for 3 thanks to a disciplined bowling and fielding performance. Thanks to 39 from Steve Else and a better than a run a ball partnership of 73 between Chris Plant (44) and John Green (46) Clay Cross won by 3 wickets with 5 overs to spare, 22 points and the rot had been stopped.

The following week a much changed team due to holidays (who goes on holiday during the cricket season?) under the leadership of Chris Plant travelled to Riddings. Riddings batted first and amassed 256 for 7, with Matt Garner (3-64) and Bob Evans (3-39) doing their best for the cause. This total was always going to be a tough ask and Cross had to settle for a losing draw. However there were a few positives to be taken from this game, youngsters Tom Holmes, Jordan Burrow and Brad Clarke all batted with great application and a fantastic partnership between Brad (25*) and his hard hitting father Dave (49) took Clay Cross to 161 at the close securing what could have proved vital extra points.

Unfortunately the foolowing game at Heanor was cancelled due to the great British weather so Cross had to wait 2 weeks to try and make amends at home to South Wingfield. Captain Green won the toss and invited Wingfield to bat, 3 wickets for Andy Ogden and Dave Clarke helped restrict Wingfield to 120 all out. Cross powered to victory in 28 overs thanks to 30 from James Sullivan and 63 from Chris Plant, 22 points and the promotion push was very much still on. However, the mixed form of the preceeding weeks had left Cross 3rd behind 2 very strong teams in Holmewood and Little Eaton and they also had Cromford hot on their heels in 4th.

Cross were left with 4 cup finals to play, 3 positive results would have almost guaranteed promotion and they started away to Cromford. On a difficult wicket Clay Cross posted 165-8 thanks to a patient 25 from Steve Eyre, 29 from Plant and a big hitting partnership between Mark Harland (34) and ave Clarke. (26) Cross bowled extremely well as a unit but were thrawted and frustrated by a stubborn Cromfor outfit who held on for the draw to give Cross 15 points. Once again Harland was the pick of the bowlers, getting through 12 overs and taking 3 for 11.

The next game was the most disappointing of the whole season. A top of the table clash against Little Eaton, asked to bat first Cross never got going and were dismissed for a pathetic 42, only Chris Plant made double figures with 18. Main destroyer was former Cross player Charlie Gwillem who's hooping inswingers took 5 for 7. Despite an early wicket for Andy Ogden, Little Eaton cruised to a 9 wicket win in 8 overs leaving Cross with no points and throughly dejected. They would need 2 outstanding performances on the last double header weekend to stand any chance of promotion.

Unfortunately the weather was to get in the way of what could have been an amazing final weekend for the Cross. Two very good sides to play in Holmewood and Belper Meadows, but 2 wins would have secured promotion. With pitches at Holmewood and Cross resembling boating lakes no play was possible and Cross had to settle for 3rd behind Little Eaton and Holmewood and will take their place in the new reorganised structure in 5N for 2009.

All in all a season that exceeded all expectations and it is a mark of how well the side did that at the end of it all 3rd place felt like a disappointment. Every player in the second team contributed at some point of the season, and everyone can feel rightly proud of their efforts and look forward to 2009.

Re: News: Second XI Review of 2008 Part 2

Author: Best Player of Pace at Cross!
Date: 24-10-08 17:23

please feel free to offer any critisms you may have

<although I reckon I'm a better cricket writer than any of the hacks that currently work for the national press>

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