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Ashley vs Congleton Date: Saturday 29 th August 2009 Venue: Booth Street, Congleton Toss won by: AshleyBatted First: Ashley |
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Ashley traveled to the East of the county and were humbled by a Congleton side keen on a return to the county league.
Winning the toss the mustachioed Barber elected to have first knock on a rare thing in the Meller Braggins, a hard dry track. Ashley’s overseas player Bradshaw was especially keen to bat as his record on good wickets is excellent, averaging over 50 at home. He started steadily against an attack formed by keeper Bailey and youngster Higginbottom bowling 9 maidens between them in the first 14 overs. With Wilson he added 33 for the first wicket in an hour and Barber continued the good work adding 45 in 37 minutes before he fell caught on the edge off Wolfenden having just hit him for six, he was dismissed at home in exactly the same fashion.
Just after Bradshaw reached his 50 (103 minutes, 90 balls) Wigfield chipped one back to the bowler and Sons went back and across to give the umpire and easy decision. Logan then added 46 for the 6th wicket with the Victorian, who was beginning to open his shoulders as he raced to his first Ashley ton. His second 50 came off 38 balls and in total he hit 19 boundaries, including 4 maximums, the 4th one off Higginbottom into Booth Street to bring up his hundred. Higginbottom suffered most as his figures went from 0 for 9 off 7 overs to 0 for 35 off 9. Cardall then took an amazing catch on the long on boundary to dismiss Bradshaw, the ball appeared to be over him and about to bounce on the path for 6 when he stuck out a hand and held on. Higginbottom then had his revenge on the tail as he took 4 for 0 in his 10th over, including a hat-trick, the 2nd time this year the feat had been performed against Ashley.
A good tea rather than the usual superior Congleton spread was the least of Ashley’s disappointments though as the home side knocked off the runs in a little over 40 overs. Alam dismissed Browe thanks to a smart gully catch, but a tough C&B and a chance at backward point gave each batter a life and Dale and Bailey took full advantage of an Ashley attack missing 3 of its quick bowlers.
Ashley took 9 points from the game, a disappointing return as they fight for survival, maximum batting points plus a significant number of wickets were the objective at the start of the match.
After a stop off at The Bells of Peover, the 1st XI joined their fund-raising team-mates at the Orange Tree to celebrate Mo’gust, the latest charity effort for The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital:
The competition to grow the best Mo’ in a month had a dozen lads looking like extras from George and Mildred; Matt Wilson was declared the winner of the contest, his spectacular side burns giving him the edge over Ricey and Roy Coleman’s Zapatas.
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FIRST INNINGS |
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SECOND INNINGS |
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Result: Congleton won by 9 wickets |
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