Close, but no cigar

Following a week of some harsh truths it was up to the Middlewich 1st XI to restore some pride, progress up the table and importantly, let the league know we were up for the fight.

The short trip to Timperley CC provided little time to reflect on last weeks nightmare and on arrival we were greeted by an uncovered wicket, wet through and certainly one which would cause the most experienced batsmen a degree of discomfort and sweaty palms.

Captain Nick Gill opted to brave the conditions and elected to bat, showing confidence in the Middlewich batting line up in hope that competitive scoreboard pressure and a diminishing wicket would give the bowling unit the tools to take 10 wickets in the second half. Unfortunately the wicket misbehaved more than expected with seam movement and tennis ball bounce causing more problems than we could cater for. The top 6 departed and returned to the pavilion with a combined total of 23 runs coming from the bat, leaving the visitors desperately struggling at 34-7. Kristian Clowes yet again provided the resistance with a dominant 47 from 29 deliveries; an innings that not only counteracted the Timperley’s attack but also proved that runs could be scored with the right approach. Clowes was ably supported by young Sam Youds, who made his 1st team league debut in testing conditions and hit two fours in his 11 from 20 deliveries, a knock not to be grumbled at given the awkward nature of the wicket. Stuart Price went about his business relatively care free and finished 14 not out, taking the total to 102 all out. Despite the grim reading this was certainly going to be no walk in the park for the home side.

Middlewich donned their whites and took to the field with a fresh faced opening attack of overseas, Leandro du Toit and the experienced Stuart Price. Following a couple of early blows from the opening batsmen, LDT soon got the visitors underway with the removal of Nathan Brown, smartly caught by Jamie Williams, who went on to take 3 catches in the match. Price took advantage of some favourable bowling conditions and took the 2nd wicket, leaving the home side 37-2, promoting a mini collapse with further wickets from Price and slow bowler, Stephen Bliss, who returned figures of 2-28 from a 12 over stint. With Timperley now struggling at 52-6, Middlewich had a strong opportunity to turn the screw and apply pressure to a nervous lower order. Price went on to take 1 further wicket, returning impressive figures of 14 overs, 4-39. Unfortunately it was a couple of dropped catches late in the innings that the visitors will be left ruing and Timperley went on to pass the total 7 wickets down in the 32nd over.

Moment of the day:
following a rank full toss (the only one he bowled all day) from Stephen Bliss, Patrick Hurley took a spectacular diving catch at mid on to dismiss the number 6.

Captain Corner:
“We know we just weren’t good enough today, the lads are really hurting in the dressing room and no doubt will continue to hurt all week. This loss has taken us to bottom of the league and there can’t be any better motivation now to bounce back and start displaying the quality and talent we have in our ranks and start picking up the points and results we know we are capable of”.

Middlewich host high flying Didsbury this weekend. First ball from 1pm at the Croxton Oval, Haddon Field.