Both the 1st & 2nd XI's registered scores in excess of 200 but it wasn't enough to save either team from defeat.
Despite the torrential rain of Friday, both teams had fine wickets to play on which was reflected in the amount of runs scored. Over at Balderton the home side batted first and it soon became apparent that pace off the ball was the way to go with all the seamers coming in for a bit of stick. Brinsley Kirkham & Darren Wright steadied the ship somewhat with a collective analysis of 20 overs 4-66. However, Balderton still racked up an imposing 253-7 from 50 overs.
The run scoring at GLA was even more frenetic, where top of the table Sutton Bonnington tucked into Calvo's bowling with relish. Apart from Matt Dean (10 overs for 44) the remainder disappeared around the park. It wasn't until the 35th over that a wicket (the only one of the innings) fell. Thankfully the game was reduced to 40 overs a side, otherwise S/B's 262-1 would no doubt have passed 300!
Both teams had good starts to their replies with Daz & Eddie putting on almost 50 before Ed departed. Cal & Daz then put together a fine hundred stand to put us right in the game. At 155-2 with 15 overs left we certainly had a good chance. Meanwhile at GLA Deano and Picko put on a 100 in less than 20 overs to give the Seconds a fighting chance as well. But 110-0 quickly became 139-6 once Picko (69) and Deano (40) had departed and the game was all but over. Back at Baldo, Cal went for 45 & when Daz was run out for 81 the batting crumbled. Two short delays for rain gave us a chance to hang on for a draw, but Rich Lee was harshly adjudged LBW with 13 balls remaining & the innings closed on 201 all out. Seven points gleaned but it could (& should) have been more. Over at GLA John Nester (also recalled with Picko as part of the 'youth policy'!) also showed there's life in the old dog yet, as he & JJ put on 62 for the seventh wicket. When the 40th over had been completed the total read 201-7. Beaten but not disgraced, 6 points taken, but it's getting towards miracle time to beat the drop for the 2nds. As far as the 1sts go, it's as tight as a duck's wotsit towards the bottom (pardon the pun) of Division A and it will probably go down to the wire.
Three games left for the 1sts and four for the 2nds. Still a lot to play for.
Despite the torrential rain of Friday, both teams had fine wickets to play on which was reflected in the amount of runs scored. Over at Balderton the home side batted first and it soon became apparent that pace off the ball was the way to go with all the seamers coming in for a bit of stick. Brinsley Kirkham & Darren Wright steadied the ship somewhat with a collective analysis of 20 overs 4-66. However, Balderton still racked up an imposing 253-7 from 50 overs.
The run scoring at GLA was even more frenetic, where top of the table Sutton Bonnington tucked into Calvo's bowling with relish. Apart from Matt Dean (10 overs for 44) the remainder disappeared around the park. It wasn't until the 35th over that a wicket (the only one of the innings) fell. Thankfully the game was reduced to 40 overs a side, otherwise S/B's 262-1 would no doubt have passed 300!
Both teams had good starts to their replies with Daz & Eddie putting on almost 50 before Ed departed. Cal & Daz then put together a fine hundred stand to put us right in the game. At 155-2 with 15 overs left we certainly had a good chance. Meanwhile at GLA Deano and Picko put on a 100 in less than 20 overs to give the Seconds a fighting chance as well. But 110-0 quickly became 139-6 once Picko (69) and Deano (40) had departed and the game was all but over. Back at Baldo, Cal went for 45 & when Daz was run out for 81 the batting crumbled. Two short delays for rain gave us a chance to hang on for a draw, but Rich Lee was harshly adjudged LBW with 13 balls remaining & the innings closed on 201 all out. Seven points gleaned but it could (& should) have been more. Over at GLA John Nester (also recalled with Picko as part of the 'youth policy'!) also showed there's life in the old dog yet, as he & JJ put on 62 for the seventh wicket. When the 40th over had been completed the total read 201-7. Beaten but not disgraced, 6 points taken, but it's getting towards miracle time to beat the drop for the 2nds. As far as the 1sts go, it's as tight as a duck's wotsit towards the bottom (pardon the pun) of Division A and it will probably go down to the wire.
Three games left for the 1sts and four for the 2nds. Still a lot to play for.