Mavericks take on the Vagrants

Wednesday 26th April saw the Mavericks take to the road again for their second, and some would suggest, toughest challenge so far (granted only two games in).

Crewe Vagrants was the setting for what many thought would be a severe test of the Mavericks batting line up. With it in mind that Crewe generally had fielded strong bowling attacks in previous seasons, the coaches mantra to the fledgling team was one of ‘PLAY STRAIGHT’.

Having decided on a shorter format of the game due to the possibility of bad light, the game was reduced to 15 overs with each batting pair only facing 3 instead of the regulation 4 overs.

Liam Walker was chosen to be captain for the game and it was he who met with the opposition to decide the fate of the Mavericks. The conclusion of the tossing of the coin saw Middlewich race to the changing room to start getting padded up for what some hoped would be, what is locally known as, a ‘Humdinger’.

As the sun continued it’s slow march across the sky, the lengthening shadows announcing the onset of twilight, two armoured warriors in the shape of Oakley MADDOCKS and Jack WALTERS made their way confidently out to the middle. It was clear from the first few deliveries that batting on this track was going to be attritional as the ball didn’t appear to be coming onto the bat well and seemed to be getting stuck in the wicket. This didn’t shake the two boy’s belief on their own ability and after three overs the Mavericks had precious runs on the board and no wickets had fallen to the Crewe pacemen.

Next out to bat it was the turn of cousins in the form of Frazer SUMNER and Alex BOLTON. Although this was Alex’s debut he held his nerve and shored up one end whilst his cousin launched the defence of his own wicket at the other end. Again the boys from Croxton Lane shut up shop and no wickets were lost as a result.

The third pair to take to the field were Evan TURNER and Oscar GREEN. Both boys recognised as veterans of limited over cricket at Middlewich Cricket Club. ‘None shall pass’ was the motto that Middlewich had been reiterating all evening and this was no different. Again the batters defences were tested and again they came up trumps. Two lovely sweep shots that raced away to the boundary saw Evan top scored with a useful 10 runs.

Next out to bat were the well-established Mavericks batsmen in the guise of Lewis TURNER and Liam WALKER. The boys dug in and played their shots knocking 14 runs off the bat with both batsmen identifying and then finding the boundary with little fuss.

With the final pair walking out to face the Crewe attack the Mavericks had a defendable total with the loss of only one wicket. Will EGERTON and Liam GILL strode out purposefully to the middle and set their stall out immediately. Both parties batted within themselves and the end of the Middlewich innings saw the away team post a gross total of 58 runs for the loss of only 2 wickets thus reducing the total to that of 48 runs. With some tidy bowling it was felt that the Mavericks were in with a shout.

After juice, biscuits and a positive team talk the boys from just outside Byley were ready to go.

The crowd demanded a tight bowling performance from Middlewich and that is exactly what they got. All the boys pulled their collective weight and Crewe found out just how tough scoring runs was going to be. Keen fielding played a part as Crewe batsmen appeared reticent to take on the arms of the boys from near to junction 18 of the M6.

Much needed wickets came by the way Oakley Maddocks and Lewis Turner both clean bowling a Crewe batter each. Jack Walters chipped in with a demon delivery that saw the facing batsmen clean out his own stumps with his bat. A quick thinking Lewis Turner then completed the agony for the home team with a tight run out.

The end of the Crewe innings saw them fall short of the Mavericks total by a mere 8 runs. Close, too close for comfort and my blood pressure.

The man of the match trophy was awarded to Evan Turner for all round performance and his double figures knock. (I have now found the man of the match trophy, it was at home under the stairs!!)

A great result for the boys from next to Moston and well deserved.

Up the Mavericks.

Lee and Craig.