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2XI Match Report - PCL Burton Cup, Round 1: Crompton 2XI 251-4 v Saddleworth 2XI 222ao. Loss

2XI Match Report - PCL Burton Cup, Round 1: Crompton 2XI 251-4 v Saddleworth 2XI 222ao. Loss

Stephen Dickson31 May 2017 - 11:10
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2XI Floored by Punchard K.O.!

Thick, threatening grey clouds swirled around Well-i-Hole as Saddleworth welcomed Crompton, 5th in the Premier Division, for a hard-fought cup tie. The dark clouds matched the Manchester mood since the atrocities at the MEN Arena. Both sides joined together in a solemn minute of silence before the match got under way.

With a rock hard wicket in front of them, Crompton won the toss and elected to bat. A show of confidence that was backed-up in fine style. Opener John Punchard came out, alongside Skipper Glenn Rigby, and embarked upon what would become a match winning innings. Fortunately, performances elsewhere ensured that this fact was not obvious for some time yet.

The wicket turned out to be an absolute road. Tunnicliffe and Clayton tried to extract what they could, a couple passed the edge with a bit of bounce, but otherwise the bat ruled through little fault of theirs’. Punchard was excellent; solid defense, a good judge of a single and strong, straight hitting. Rigby got on with it too, and when first drinks came at the 15-over mark Crompton were an ominous 93-0.

Just beforehand, Pemberton and Hesford had taken over bowling duties, a shift to spin taking the pace of the ball. After drinks this brought success, firstly through arresting the scoring rate and secondly through clinching a wicket, Pemmy inducing Glenn to play on with the score at 129 in the 21st over.

Pemberton Jr replaced Hesford and set upon an excellent spell. He bowled a line the absent, and sorely missed, McGrath would have been proud of, and with good zip too. Together the Pemberton’s began to strangle Crompton a touch and by the 30-over mark the score had advanced at a slower rate to 156-1. Ward replaced Pemberton Sr and turned the screw further.

At about this point Punchard reached an excellent century and took the richly deserved plaudits. He accelerated and put on a rapid 27 more before the returning Hesford pinned him leg-before. An excellent 127, well played John!

Yifter and KFC took the bowling home from there and did very well too, minimizing any possible acceleration from the Crompton men. Yifter secured an LBW and caused a run out too during those closing overs. Crompton ended with 251-4. A good score, but with SCC drinks chatter being about chasing 300 and so many wickets in the bank, we were reasonably happy with our come back too.

Tea was taken (Cheese and Onion pie with beans, spot on Ladies!) and then Jones and Dickson strode out to take up the challenge. They got off at a good rate too, but unfortunately it didn’t last as long as their Crompton counter-parts and Jonah knicked one and was caught well, low-down to the right at 1st Slip. Danny Hesford, returning to the 2XI at No.3, replaced him.

Yours truly was going like a train, but then hit the buffers. Having reached the mid-twenties, dealing mostly in boundaries, I got too cocky and try to whip a straight ball through mid-wicket…and missed. Not a Captain’s knock against such a big total and a waste of good form – sorry boys, immature. My own aberration also inspired Danny, who shortly afterward attempted a sweep that would later bemuse him as to why, and was fired out leg-before (he did hit it though) for 10.

Thankfully both Yifter, relishing his promotion to No.5, and KF Clayton batted more responsibly. Clean hits and good running took us from 48-3 to 96. Chances…..
Disaster! Some not so good running brought the partnership to a close. Yifter padded one away to leg and began his charge, Kyle doesn’t send him back on his own call, wicket keeper “scampers” a few yards to the left and, slightly flukely it has to be said, dislodges the bails with an under-arm throw. KFC is out for 30.

Zak joins Yifter at the crease. Slowly at first, then more steadily, then lustily the partnership builds. Zak plays some nice shots and picks off the ones, Yifter waits for the bad ball then smashes it until an excellent and well deserved 50 is reached. 170 brought up, 80-odd required with 11-overs left. We can do this boys!

But up pops that man Punchard once more, and wily bowling to match his wily batting extracts both Pembertons, sandwiched around Rick Hall, and we sink to 184-7. Shortly after, Yifter is held by Clegg at mid-off, no-one more surprised than himself, and the game is almost up. Etoo follows, and the fat-lady begins to sing.

But she didn’t reckon for Tom Hughes and Nathan Gallagher. Our young guns, relishing the freedom and challenge of saving a lost cause, batted superbly and enjoyed their cricket. Tom took the lead, smashing four boundaries, one which went like a tracer through mid-off, and an almighty maximum back over the bowlers head. He later confirmed, flexing his muscles and in the dressing room, that this was the first he’d ever hit. Good lad! The first of many no doubt.

Nathan supported his friend most ably and took the score to 222 before he was bowled attempting to achieve the impossible. Tom finished unbeaten on 34, well played indeed.

And so Crompton were victorious. None of SCC’s top 3 had scored runs to match Punchard, and that is where the match was won and lost. Afterward we hear he will be trialling for England Over-60s and may play in the Ashes this year – good luck from all at Well-i-Hole John! Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed what had been a good game, and I was particularly pleased that all our youngsters had done so well. This may turn out to be my last game as Skipper for a while. I have enjoyed it, I hope the team have to!

Daily Lesson: Learn the rules before the game. Zak bowled an excellent spell and could have bowled more than he did had I known he needed 6-overs break in between bursts. Sorry pal, my bad!

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