Church Eaton 1sts travelled to Silverdale for week 9 of the season hoping to build on the great win against Burslem in week 8.
Despite being promised 30 degrees and blazing sunshine all week CE arrived to light drizzle and dullness.
Rob “the highlight reel” Hogarth opened the bowling for CE bowling the most eventful over in the history of the club. A wide, followed by being slapped for four before quickly opting for the short ball tactic and hitting off stump 1/3 of the way up to a ball that didn’t get above shin height having pitched halfway down to bring the downfall of Moors for 4.
At the other end Abdullah was struggling to find a consistent length with Lightfoot taking advantage, before ironically being caught very leaden footed as another one kept low and took out his middle stump.
Mick Moore at 3 looked solid before a strong straight drive and a hand from Hogarth at the bowlers end flicked the ball onto the stumps for a very unlucky yet massively important wicket for CE.
However with the run rate climbing and Matt Burslem starting to show frustration, White turned to spin bringing on Talbot and Melbourne to try and game some control. Both bowled with an element of control with Talbot picking up the key wicket of Sam “don’t bowl there to me” James for 36 with a sharp caught and bowled. Talbot however started to put the local gardeners in danger getting launched out the ground and when a structural engineer was called due cricket balls smashing local roof tiles, enough was enough and he was taking out of the attack.
Skipper White came on alongside Melbourne, White with a new longer run up given his embarrassing performances so far this season settled in well, picking up the impressive Max Turner for 61. Turner could have been in the pavilion earlier if not for a mix up when he skied one. White called the catch however Melbourne (not hearing the call) went for the catch and managed to rearrange his fingers and spent the rest of the innings with his hand in an icy bucket.
The innings finished with White (3-28) bowling England and Silverdale captain Ben Stokes for 16.
Burslem and Talbot opened the innings for CE. Burslem fell early trying to force one down the ground and falling to a sharp caught and bowled from Stokes for 8. Talbot and Sidwell Jnr rotated the strike to take CE to 48-1 at the 15 over drinks break. With best laid plans of getting up to 115 at the next drinks break (30 overs), Sidwell fell the first ball after drinks, adjudged to have snicked off behind, a decision that further improved Burslem’s mood who was by now simply apoplectic with rage at CE’s performance.
George Burslem came to the crease and looked to improve the run rate. Using both skill and 19 inch biceps Burslem took CE to 73-3 before himself and Talbot (31) both fell in quick succession.
This brought White and Hogarth to the crease. Having played together since the late 90’s, White and Hogarth soon set about upping the run rate and putting the pressure back onto Silverdale. Numerous boundaries later CE were well and truly back in the race before both fell in quick succession, Hogarth for a well compiled 26 off 34, and White 48 off 36.
The countdown was on needing a run a ball from 2 overs in. Youngsters Fred Melbourne and Ollie Rowlands now carrying the hope for CE. Both showed great composure until Fred fell to a ball that clipped leg stump bringing in Ade, batting with one hand he cut the ball to deep point for one.
Ollie Rowlands on strike now… 3 needed from 2. Rowlands launched the ball for 4 over the bowlers head to bring the rest of the CE team into raptures.
A great win from the jaws of defeat.
We must ass a massive credit to Silverdale for sending on a substitute fielder to replace Ade when he got injured. I’d like to think most sides would do that but not sure how many actually would, fantastic sportsmanship and summed up the spirit the game was played in.
Onwards to top of the league Audlem next week, let’s make it 3 in a row!