Clowne Town Cruise Past Ambergate!
31/05/03
At Clowne
Clowne Captain Phil Bennett lost the toss for the first time this season as Ambergate elected to bowl first, Bennett and new opening partner Jamie Fellows put on 43 for the first wicket before Nightingale got one to leave the skipper and he was bowled for 8. Adam White came and went for a duck before Graham White and Fellows continued the good work the consistent White was out for 20 bowled Bryan with the score on 92. Clowne then wobbled to 96 for 6 Steve Bennett(3), Dale Steers(0) and finally Jamie Fellows for a well made 38 all were sent back. It was at this point the game was probably turned for Clowne by vice captain Paul Osborne and Paul Thompson, Thompson was particularly impressive making 30 not out as the pair put on 44 for the seventh wicket. Clowne ended their 46 overs with a creditable 163 for 8. Pick of the bowlers for Ambergate were Bryan (12-1-31-5) and the extremely impressive Nightingale (14-3-36-2).
Clowne - 168-8
Steve Bennett and Dale Steers opened the bowling with pace and hostility swinging the ball away from the batsmen and it was Bennett who made the breakthrough having Asif caught by Paul Osborne at gully for 6. Tomlinson and Hancock managed to see off the openers as Fellows and Parsons took up the attack and indeed Ambergate seemed in control until Dave Keys replaced the tiring Fellows and managed to remove Tomlinson for a patient 32. Keys then took the wicket of Morris lbw ending with figures of 7-2-22-2 a decent return for the veteran Keys whose experience on the day proved vital helping the younger bowlers and the captain. The return of a fired up Steers then did for Hancock (41) and Walters (10) as Fellows took the wicket of the dangerous Wright well caught by Thompson. Steve Bennett returned to the attack and bowled Charlton and Green in successive balls leaving Clowne within touching distance of a valuable win. It was man of the match Fellows who fittingly applied the finishing touch to the innings bowling Nightingale for 1.
Ambergate 120 all out
All in all a good win over a decent side and a very valuable 27 points pushing Clowne up to fourth in the table.
Clowne win by 48 Runs
Points
27 - Clowne
5 - Darly Dale