A Sticky Wicket

Middlewich played host to league leaders, Sale Cricket Club, with noticeable letters of absence submitted by the captain himself, Nick Gill, whose presence was sorely required at a family wedding and also opening bat, Tom Shepherd, away on work duties. Vice captain and all time leading run scorer for Middlewich Cricket Club, James Cornford, stepped up to the plate and led The Haddon Fields men onto the playing arena.

With the covers not quite doing there job throughout a damp night at the Croxton Oval it was decided at the toss that Middlewich would bat, in anticipation that the ‘wet patch’ would deteriorate and batting second would be challenging.

Opening twosome, James Williams (1) and the incoming David Bates (5) struggled with the awkward leg spin of Halkon and the nagging line of left arm seam bowler, Lawrence who both bowled through the innings, returning 5 wickets a piece. Middlewich never really recovered from a sticky start with the top 6 back in the hutch with a combined runs total of just 35. In form wicketkeeper batsmen, Kristian Clowes came to the crease with the score on 32-5 and proceeded to demonstrate his aggressive approach with a counter attacking 51 from just 36 deliveries which included 3 sixes and 3 fours. Following the departure of Clowes late order runs were provided by Stuart Price (17) bringing the grand total to 110 all out.

Following the interval the new ball was handed to overseas recruit, Leandro du Toit whose 7 overs certainly tested his counterpart but unfortunately could not bring the luck required to break the deadlock and sale had 70 on the board before any damage was done. Slow left arm bowler, Stephen Bliss was brought into the fray and soon removed South African u19 Ryan Rickleton (33) along with Captain Lawrence (6). At the other end Patrick Hurley was enjoying a now drying wet patch and sent opening batsmen, Dixon (38) on his way. The slow bowlers continued to apply the pressure with wickets falling at regular intervals and Sale soon looked to be struggling on 97-6 but unfortunately the late flurry was not enough for Middlewich whose total of 110 proved to be too little to defend with the visitors reaching the score in the 38th over.

Moment of the Day
Middlewich tweakers, Hurley and Bliss with 3 wickets a piece applied some serious pressure towards the back end of the innings, combining to take Sale from 70-0 to 97-6.

(Vice) Captains Corner
“Unfortunately we just never had enough runs to defend and I think all the lads will agree we were just a little below par with the bat. Another 30 runs would have made it very interesting. That said I think we have some positives to take from this game, we certainly bowled and fielded well which is something we need to take into next weeks trip to Urmston”