Old Parkonians vs Ashley

Date:  Sat 23rd Aug

Venue: Old Parkonians

Toss won by: Old Parkonians

Batted First: Ashley

 

On a bank holiday weekend of crippling availability the Blue Caps went into this crunch relegation battle with only ten men despite a record number of 40 calls trying to put a team together. To add insult to injury the M56 decided to throw up the added obstacles of a shut down in Gatley, an accident in Runcorn, a breakdown in Frodsham and the Creamfields Festival in Daresbury (which we had factored in). Despite the early set off the team arrived either cutting it fine or late.

 

With sympathy for the Ashley plight Stand in Skipper Ricey was informed that the toss would have to be conceded and Ashley were to bat.

 

As no recognized openers were available Bugsy (who had given up a days pay to play….respect) volunteered to open despite the only recent cricketing action was on the beach in Zante against a questionable attack. Old Parks opened with the experienced duo of McEwen and Taylor with an oldish ball, taking the pace off on a slow wicket and a soggy outfield making run scoring tough. Ricey as usual tried to take the attack to the bowlers before misreading a quicker one off Taylor. Bugsy meanwhile was watchful taking the single knowing this wasn’t the deepest Ashley batting line up. Dan looked good before ramming one down mid wickets throat bringing Third Team skip Pete Burgess to the wicket. Pete and Bugsy ticked things over before Bugsy edged Moxley to slip for a ‘Boycottesque’ 10. Nick entered at the dizzy height of number 5 and proved his all rounder status (Batter and Weather Guru !) with a selection of leg side blows. Pete was eventually bowled by McEwen after being questioned about his Usain Bolt impressions between the wickets, Nick falling soon after for a valuable 36.

 

Young Hatch did his job well supporting Jimmy D at the death as did Martin Blain, the innings closing for a just about competitive 117.

 

After an excellent tea which included chip butties Ashley took the field full of enthusiasm knowing that an early breakthrough was needed and to cover the 11th man Pete Burgess was to cover first, second, third slip and gully. On cue The Dodger bowled Fearon, the rains then came and after some debate the umpires took the players off with the score on 20-1 off 9.

 

Following around an hour off for rain the players returned with game reverting to time. After some consolidation Roscoe started the attack with Moxley. Ricey rang the changes bringing on Rish and Jimmy D, The Dodger on his way to long leg narrowly missing injury tripping over his bottom lip. Both new bowlers keeping it tight despite the soggy ball. With the time deadline approaching The Dodger and Nick returned in what looked like a lost cause, however Nick broke through bowling Roscoe, then young Martin Blain showed his alertness and promise for the future by running out Moxley and Berkson from behind the stumps to start the home side twitching. With around 3 overs left and 17 runs required The Dodger and Nick ran in until the last over arrived with 8 required with 5 wickets down. Proving his worth now as a bowler Nick skittled Toland, then Orr off the last delivery to give Ashley another bowling point with the home side left on 110.

 

This was an excellent team effort from the 10 men Ashley, everyone young and old giving everything in the field to stop vital runs whenever possible. All the bowlers cannot be faulted as bowling with the proverbial bar of soap was not easy

 

With news of Davenhams heavy defeat to Winsford and with 3 games left the relegation battle is as tight as a ducks derriére.

 

Ps…Note to the other 39 contactees we need your help !!

 

FIRST INNINGS

 

Batting

 

Batsman

How Out

Bowler

Runs

1.

D Rice

Bowled

G Taylor

16

2.

R Tute

Ct Orr

A Moxley

10

3.

D Shelston

Ct

G Taylor

9

4.

P Burgess

Bowled

S McEwen

9

5.

N Holt

Ct G Taylor

S McEwen

36

6.

H Hatchell

LBW

A Moxley

5

7.

C Pendlebury

Not Out

 

14

8.

R McKie

Bowled

S McEwen

0

9.

M Blain

Not Out

 

1

10.

R Agrawal

DNB

 

 

11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extras

6

 

 

 

Total

117

 

BOWLING

Name

O

M

R

W

S McEwen

23

3

70

3

G Taylor

9

6

13

2

A Moxley

13

4

25

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND INNINGS

 

Batting

 

Batsman

How Out

Bowler

Runs

1.

D Roscoe

Bowled

N Holt

45

2.

P Fearon

Bowled

R McKie

0

3.

A Moxley

Run Out

 

35

4.

T Berkson

Run Out

 

14

5.

C Brannon

Bowled

R McKie

0

6.

L Toland

Ct

N Holt

2

7.

J Orr

Bowled

N Holt

2

8.

C Allen

Not Out

 

0

9.

 

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extras

12

 

 

 

Total

110

 

BOWLING

Name

O

M

R

W

R McKie

11

2

28

2

N Holt

11

1

43

3

R Agrawal

4

0

15

0

C Pendlebury

4

0

18

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Result: Draw Ashley 8 Old Parkonians 7