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First Eleven
After last week’s heroics with the ball, it was the batters turn to shine this week. At home to Newton-le-Willows, we won the toss and elected to bat first. We lost our first wicket to the third ball of the innings without a run on the board. The next wicket fell at 163, courtesy of Josh Robinson and Nathan Barrett. Josh was out for a superb 77 ball 102, which included 15 fours and 4 sixes. Nathan followed three runs later for 37. One run later Sam Arkwright went which was compounded by Pat-Jnr Masuku performing the hattrick to leave us 167 for 6. Jack Kitching and Sam Keane steadied the ship and we had reached 222 when Kitch was 7th out for 22. Sam ploughed on and finished with 68 (11 fours and 1 six) as we totalled 266 all out in the 43rd over. 34 extras also helped the cause.
The visitors also lost a wicket without a run on the board, but unlike us they struggled against some tight bowling and slumped to 89 for 7. A mini revival saw them add 64 for the eighth wicket. Twelve runs later it was all over and we had won by 101 runs. Struan Mackenzie took 4 for 21, Arkers 4 for 34 and Mo Saghir 2 for 8. Whilst we collected twenty points for the win, we actually stay in ninth place, but move 26 points clear of a relegation spot.
Second Eleven
The 2nd XI travelled to Wat and Melmerby and had an afternoon to forget. We won the toss, went first, and crashed to 59 for 7. A bit of tail wagging pushed us to 85 for 9 in our 40 overs. Young Thomas Mountain carried his bat for 23 not out off 111 balls. Maaz Nayyar and youngster Ben Jolly both made twelve. Their reply was swift and clinical as they stormed home in the thirteenth over for the loss of just one wicket. We drop a place to sixth in the table.
This Saturday the 1st XI travel to Thornton Watlass who are third in the table. The 2nd XI entertains leaders Walton Park at Shires Lane.
The match ball sponsors are Ellison Construction and R McDowell Haulage and Distribution.
Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman
