Match Report Weekly

2nd XI vs Cheadle Hulme (Away) 12/05/2012

After a wet week Cheadle’s ground had just about survived. The wicket looked lush and green complete with roller tramlines, definitely a toss to win and bowl first. Captain Marvel Evo refreshed after stag do exploits last weekend used his predictive powers and won the toss putting Cheadle in.

Predictably it was tough going for the opening batsmen, Barber & Becks regularly going past the edge or looping shots dropping just out of reach. The first opening came when a quick single was called, with Nuts having to retrieve the ball from a few yards had a shy at the stumps a direct hit and the batsmen was gone, or so we thought, an unlikely reprieve. Becks finally provided the breakthrough with the opener leaving one that nipped back and hitting the off peg. Barber had come to the end of his spell with no return on his efforts. Cameron replace him and soon claimed his first victim, the openers luck had run out, with a horrible short pitched wide delivery meeting a horrible hook shot, Clarkie taking the catch, Cricket was not the winner with that ball!!

The next phase of play was extremely slow with the bowlers giving little away, Dicko was bowing excellently with good assistance from Andy MC at drinks the run rate had dropped to 2 an over. After the break the batters tried to up the tempo, and then all the action happened in one over, Andy with 2 in 2, now for the hat-trick… a bit of a let down, dispatched for 4. The next ball was much better clean blowing the no 6. Dicko was looking on enviously having had catches dropped and attempts missed on his bowling. He finally got his rewards picking up the no 5, after toiling for so long it became a precession of wickets with Dicko picking up two more and one more for MC and Becks, Cheadle had slumped from 85-2 to 116 all out. Only the number 10 who dispatched Becks for a huge 6 showing any resistance ended stranded 10 not out. The bowling unit had come up with another excellent performance.

With the game in Bredbury’s hands a sensible run chase would see them claim 25 points for the second week running. Barber and Clarkie opened up, both were watchful early on. With the wicket drying out the ball was doing a bit extra. Barber was quick to pick up on anything loose and was timing and placing his drives beautifully. The score soon began to tick nicely and the openers breezed past 50. With the score on 69 and enquiries being made on how close Barber was to his 50 the curse hit and he was clean bowled and gone for 44, an excellent opening stand, as so often happens one brings two and Clarkie was clean bowled two overs later gone for 19 with the score on 72. Giz and Coffey were now at the crease and were looking to recreate their unbeaten stand of last week. Both players getting good value for their shots picking up the boundaries regularly, when the score ticked past the 100 mark the opening bowlers returned and Cheadle were after one more wicket to get a bonus point for the day. However a couple of well placed drives from Giz brought victory within reach. Not to be outdone Coffey dispatched a huge straight 6 to win the match inside 30 overs, Coffey and Giz finishing unbeaten on 27 and 26 respectively.

Bredbury with another impressive 8 wicket win, claiming a well deserved 25 Points, Cheadle Hulme 0. Another win next week should see Bredbury right in the mix at the top end of the table.

2nd XI vs Bollington (Home) 05/05/2012

Bredbury were fielding a youthful side with only 1 player over 30 (no prizes for guessing who)… Clarkie took the role of captain fantastic, filling the void left by Evo. Clarkie soon put his own slant on things by winning the toss and putting Bollington in.

Barber and Becks opened up, both settling into a steady rhythm. The openers fancied trying to take young Jimmy on, with one in particular auditioning for 20twenty cricket. He wafted at four on the trot but finally connected with the fith which would have cleared two pavilions! Undeterred Barbers class showed and soon picked his man up. In no time Bollington were 4 down with 25 on the board, Barber and Becks picking up two each.

The middle order sensed the game was slipping away and knuckled down. The big MC and the big Dick..o took over the bowling duties. Dicko settled into a good rhythm and could have had his just rewards but could not hold on to the sharply hit return. MC finally made a breakthrough confusing the batsmen with a straight one!!

Cam replaced MC and soon picked up a wicket, the left handers were coming thick and fast, a speciality of Camerons. Despite getting a full hand to an edge Giz could not hold on for Camerons next victim. Bollingtons no 5 had progressed well just before he reached a well deserved 50 he could only look on as his partner was dismissed by Ryan who showed some quick hands behind the stumps and gifting Cameron with his second wicket, however this seemed to completely change the no 5’s approach and tried batting like the top 4, he soon skied one for Clarkie to snaffle and was gone for 52. Bredbury now had sight of the lower order, which was soon cleaned up by Barber, Cam and a one ball spell from Becks. Bollington were all out for 148. An excellent bowling performance with the whole unit doing well.

After a pleasant tea Barber and Clarkie opened up. Both started well and didn’t look in any trouble, Clarkie fell victim to a catch he would have been proud of, the ball slipping off the knife to a deep deep gulley taking a one handed diving catch. Clarkie was gone for 13. Giz joined Barber for his season debut and after virtually a full season out nearly popped one up to one of the close in fielders, however he soon settled down and began picking off the short ball and sending it to the boundary. Barber was also timing it well but also fell to a forward diving catch and was gone for 16. Coffey joined Giz at the crease, both players were looking well set with Giz making good progress hitting 4’s all around the ground, however he had a reprieve when a snick evaded the keeper. Drinks came and Bredbury were 110 for 2 and looking well set. Coxy could sense an early finish ready for the race night. After drinks Giz and Coffey carried on where they left off, Giz brought up his 50 with another boundary but not to be outdone Coffey stroked a magnificent straight six. A few extras later the match was won, Bredbury wrapping the match up in the 31st over. An excellent 8 wicket win Giz finishing 62 not out and Coffey 31 not out.

Bredbury fully deserved their first win in the league this season and dominated the game. However the fielding would need to be sharper with 5 catches going down.

Bollington have also provided footage of the match which can be seen on the following link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWvaxtzsDI&feature=plcp