Clowne 1st 'draw' Against A Strong Darley Dale !!

By Ben Holmes - May 21 2004
Clowne 1st 'draw' Against A Strong Darley Dale !!
Clowne Town CC
A fighting batting display by Nigel Spencer prevented Clowne slipping to defeat against Darley Dale. After being outplayed for much of the game Clowne batted out for a losing draw, having never been in the chase for victory.
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Clowne 1st 'draw' Against A Strong Darley Dale !
15th May 2004
At Darley Dale


Clowne arrived at the fantastic Darley Dale ground early the weather was good. A few changes had been made to the side with Jamie Fellows suffering with Glandular Fever, Ian Parsons came into the side, Swanny was on bird duty thus Ryan Bennett was called from his bed to fill the void. Clowne won the toss and elected to field. Steve Bennett opened the bowling along with Bong. Steve bowled with good pace and was unlucky not to take any wickets in his opening spell. From the other end Bong, after last weekends exploits was enjoying the countryside, knowing this was sheep country. However he was struggling with his bowling and was removed from the attack after 3 very slow overs. In to the attack came Neil Pollard who yet again bowled with pace and swing. It was no surprise when he had Smith bowled with the now famous Saturday night scuttle ball. Darly Dale were batting well with Hartley (31) looking in good form however Womble bought his innings to an end with a fine bit of leg spin bowling. Pollard then had Darley skipper caught for 21. Watts was now at the crease and hit Womble for 20 in one over with a massive hit which smashed in to the roof of the pavilion. In the meantime Binns was run out (just) by the ever mobile Smalley. Tomson then added a quick fire 34 before being stumped in the last over off the useful Parsons. Watts finished on 69 not out after a fine innings. Throughout Darleys innings their running betwen the wickets was excellant and is something the Clowne lads should pick up on and improve in the future. Pick of the bowling was Neil Pollard 14-2-34-2 and he will be missed next week as he is away on ruting duty.

Darley Dale 208-4.

After a cracking tea in the pleasent Darley Dale pavilion, Smalley and White opened the batting. Clowne were in trouble early on when Smalley was bowled for 5 by Darley skipper Johnson. Adam looked in good form and he and the Prince (Hendley) moved the score on to 40 before Prince was caught of the bowling of Thompson. Holmes soon followed after edging one to the keeper (apparently). This brought Spencer to the crease and he looked to defend as wickets were falling at the other end. White after looking good in his new role as opener fell for 16 Bong then went for 1 and Ryan, still recovering from his night shift fell for a duck. Josh Womble then came to the rescue and he and Nigel managed to bat out for the draw. Not an easy task with some quick bowling from Green. Nigel finished 27 not out and Womble finished 7 not out. Pick of the bowlers was Tompson finishing with figures of 14-4-24-3. Clowne were outplayed from start to finish and did well to leave with a losing draw. Darley Dale are a stong side and may have the capability to stop Brear and Heanor walking away with the 4n title. A short drink at Darley and then back to Clowne.

Clowne Town 89 - 6

Darley Daledrew with Clowne Town.

Points
4 - Clowne
20 – Darley Dale

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