Mansfield League Sunday Section IV - 4th May 2003

Spital 2nds 147-9 
Clay Cross 105-6

Clay cross skipper Karl Johnson won the toss and put Spital into bat. Openers Caunt and Poiney made a steady start on a wicket affected by overnight rain before Poiney fell to Johnson for 13.

Jamie Horton was out for 8 before Higginbottom joined Caunt and accelerated the scoring rate which included 2 unorthodox sixes to backward point before he was Searstons first victim for a somewhat rapid 20.

Caunt remained at the crease whilst several batsmen were finding the varied Clay Cross attack difficult to handle. Caunt was out with 6 overs remaining for a hard earned 74 leaving Nuggo Johnson to take Spital’s tail to 147 – 9, finishing on 16 not out. For Clay Cross young James Carroll bowled extremely well to finish with 3 for 37 and skipper Johnson 3 for 45.

In response, the opening attack of Jamie Horton and Johnson pinned the Cross batsmen down who found runs difficult to come by. Enforced bowling changes, however, resulted in an increase in the run rate until Alex Eyre was bowled by Caunt for 16. The game looked to be heading for a draw until veteran Nigel Pike instantly set about attacking the Spital bowling. A number of wickets fell, however, to the wily spin of Mick Caunt with Pike running out of partners. 

At the completion of their 40 overs, Cross had reached 105 – 6 with Pike a superb 48 not out, whilst man of the match Caunt finished with figures of 4 for 19 from his allotted 10 overs. Both sides had put weakened sides out on the day and both were, therefore, satisfied with the result

Spital 14 points Clay Cross 10 points

Many thanks to Spital captain Andy Horton for the report.