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Ashley vs Middlewich Date: 14/06/2009 Venue: Ashley Toss won by: AshleyBatted First:Middlewich |
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Following the previous last gasp defeat at Widnes, the game against Middlewich was always going to crucial for providing much needed momentum going into the two subsequent games against strong Tattenhall and New Brighton sides. In short, only a victory would do. Skipper Burt in his last game before handing over the reins to the returning P Burgess, won the toss and decided to make use of a green looking wicket. Harrison looked useful early on and tested both openers. In true style, it would be Burt at the other end who would capitalise this as R Twigg pulled a short one straight to the reliable hands of Hatchell. What happened next was a sort of phoney war as Tomlinson and Goulding moved along steadily whilst the Ashley bowling attack contained them at a steady run rate. Sooner or later, something would have to give. Luckily it was success to Ashley as the always useful Tom Smith bowled Goulding, it must be pointed too that Martin Blain had been keeping very well up to the stumps during the Smith spell. The rest of the innings continued this trend of Middlewich moving along nicely if rather unspectacularly. Matt Wardle (does he only play home games ?), carried on from Winnington Park a fortnight previously by bowling sixteen overs off the reel of his ever impressive off-spin. In the midst of this, Smith had snared veteran Tomlinson – another great catch by Blain. Mike Burgess had returned after his university finals and in preparation for the “real world” that shortly beckons, was thrown the ball at short notice and told to do wonderful things. He duly obliged and removed Davies in a very controlled eight over spell. An under-utilised bowler in his Ashley career, he will be hoping to take more wickets over the course of the season.
Back to the game, Wardle got a deserved breakthrough by dismissing Middlewich’s main batsman and wicketkeeper – V Stott. Hatchell taking the second of his hat-trick of catches. As the overs ran out, the opposition through the bat to no avail as Harrison, Wardle and Burgess all added to their wickets for the season. The only disappointment was that our opposition closed on 173-8 after a very late assault and this was 25-30 runs too many. Time would tell if this would be a problem …….
The Ashley response began smoothly. Murray and Brownhill were soon scoring easily. Opening bowler Holland improved with each other and was soon beating the bat. He was unfortunate to have Brownhill dropped in the slips by Tomlinson, who made up for this by soon taking a blinding catch to remove Murray off the young and extremely promising swing bowling of Zimmer. Griffiths was caught off a no-ball when on zero and used his good fortune to plunder three boundaries in short succession before being stumped off the bowling of the alice-banded G Twigg. Brownhill and Shelston knuckled down and ran singles well as the game reached its crucial phase. The Ashley run rate was now progressing nicely as both batsmen were picking off the spin at each end. Brownhill’s spell at the crease came to an abrupt end as he nicked one behind and walked before the finger came up. Harry Hatchell fresh off a maiden half-century for the 2nds the day before, effortlessly batted Ashley into contention before he smashed a full toss straight to the square leg fielder on the boundary. Any other day it would have been six. Worse followed as Shelston unwisely missed a straight one from Twigg. What looked a formality was now very up in the air. With four or five needed off the last eight overs, finger nails were bitten as Ashley stuttered towards the line. Twigg, rattling to the crease under the weight of his jewellery, bowled Mike Burgess and a draw looked the likely result. Burt and Wardle were now at the crease and a vital moment in the game saw Matt work the ball to fine leg with the resultant mis-field bringing a welcome boundary. Just as victory seemed probable, Twigg struck again to see Wardle Jr removed and Middlewich sensing a draw. What this situation needed was a calm head and Ashley were lucky to have two for the price of one. Smith seemed undaunted by the occasion and skipper Burt was remarkably circumspect – we all knew though that something big was coming. The last over needed nine runs for victory and a critical moment saw keeper Stott run full length and grass a Burt skier. Crucially, Kiwi skipper was now back on strike and used Big Kahuna to great effect as he drove Bagley into the resulting field. It was a shot of awesome proportions and the watching crowd went wild. The winning runs came off the next ball, an event that was too painful for keeper Stott who smashed down the stumps and then stormed off without shaking hands. Kids of Ashley, please don’t try this at home or you will be heavily fined.
It was a real Boys Own finish for Burt as skipper. His spell in charge was enjoyed by all. Pete Burgess now returns to the helm with a side 2nd in the table before Sunday’s top two tussle with Tattenhall. There are so many positives to talk about at the moment, the maturing talents of Hatchell, Blain, Smith and brothers Wardle. The steadying presence of new boy Harrison, the week in / week out consistency of Murray, Brownhill and Shelston. Compared to the dark days of last season, this is a side who are really going places. However, there is always room for improvement. We made hard work of what should have been an easy run chase. Lessons will hopefully be learnt for the next time. Nobody can forget the hammering we received at Tattenhall next year. The game this coming weekend is the ideal opportunity to make up for that.
As always, we are extremely grateful towards our match-day sponsor, Dunham Scaffolding Ltd, for their support. |
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FIRST INNINGS |
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SECOND INNINGS |
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Result: Ashley won by 3 wickets |
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