Return of the Clowes

With the prospect of poor weather sweeping over Little Budworth, 1st XI Captain, Patrick Roberts elected to bowl, hoping to extract some early movement from what initially looked to be a lively surface. Middlewich’s men made a staggered start to proceedings, falling to 30-3 after 12 before rain halted play and Oulton Park reluctantly vacated the playing field.

Throughout a lengthy delay both teams enjoyed some light hearted banter about the weather, but with frustrations mounting towards the constant drizzle and the league handbook rules clearly stating that play cannot commence whilst rain is in the air, the umpires left it up to the skippers to negotiate a reasonable start time. With tempers now beginning to fray the players were thankful to re emerge from the changing rooms with a total of 42 overs left to play at 5.30pm.

James Williams (18) fell shortly after the restart followed by a 1st ball duck for the incoming 2nd team captain, Alex Gill (0). Nick Gill’s men decided that attack was the best way to counteract the conditions with Leandro du Toit (13) and the skipper himself (14) both returning to the hutch with quick fire knocks. Vice captain, James Cornford (35) steadied the Middlewich ship with a positive innings which was brought to an end by Patrick Roberts, who’s 4.3 over stint returned interesting figures of 5-39. Wicketkeeper Kristian Clowes (50) and all rounder Stephen Bliss (18) were at it again with some colourful stroke play that well and truly ended any hope OP may have had of rolling the visitors out cheaply. With the final wicket falling and the total at 169 with a possible 5 overs left to play it was decided by the umpires that the light and weather had faded to the point of no return and the home side never got to strap their pads on.

Moment of the day:

Kristain Clowes returned to his breeding ground and marked the occasion with 5 sixes in his 37 ball 50.

Points were shared at 7 a piece with Middlewich 1st XI playing host with a double header against Sale Cricket Club this weekend in the league and cup (Sunday).

Captains Corner:

“The real winner on this occasion was the weather, which on a ground we have recently put in some strong performances is very disappointing. All the boys were confident going into this after last weeks win and we all hope we can maintain that mentality going into this weekend’s fixture versus sale”