NO “MAYDAY” WEEKEND DRAMA AS 1ST’s & 2ND’s WIN AGAIN!
The first part of the weekend’s “double-header” for the 1st XI saw them travel to Monton, who had no hesitation in asking Adam Hawley’s team to bat upon winning the toss. The early loss of Mark Dillnutt was soon forgotten as, in typically effervescent style, Liam Parkinson quickly overtook the skipper’s score, the total reaching 50 when Parky hit the first maximum of the day. Adam’s dismissal for 27, with the score on 89, brought our overseas professional, Neil Hornbuckle, to the crease for the first time as a DSL player. The South African marked his debut with a run-a-ball 54 contribution to a 3rd-wicket partnership of 99 in just over 14 overs, punctuated by the briefest of rain breaks, where the players were back on before the covers! Now on 80*, Parky was eyeing up a century, which was duly completed in the final over (from 141 balls), before his dismissal for a magnificent 101. In the meantime, Matt Sonczak (14) had been & gone, meaning that we finished on 240 for 5 from our 50 overs.
Well batted, Parky!
Early damage to the home side’s chances of a successful run-chase was inflicted by Scott Kirwin and Aussie Nick Bailey, as Monton were reduced to 34 for 3 in the 14th over. The only partnership of any substance in the innings – and, at 112, the highest of the match – was broken by Neil’s first wicket for the Club and, from 146 for 4, something of a procession saw the innings end on 167 in the 44th over – Matt Sonczak wrapping proceedings up with 3 for 7. Ben Tighe, like Nick earlier, took 2 wickets, Scott & Neil one apiece, as DSL won by 73 runs to join Greenfield on 13 points at the top of the Premier Division table – the latter on the summit only by virtue of their superior net run-rate.
Back at HQ, the 2nd XI remained in the leading pack in Division 3 (East) with a comprehensive 83-run victory over Glodwick. Danny Hall chose to bat first, and it was he (34) & Nomi (63) that rescued the innigs after a shaky start had seen us 30 for 3. Mark Selby (30) and a quick 17 from Lewis Wilson provided useful support to the top-scorer once his skipper had departed, as we finished on 179 all out from 42 overs.
Danny & Nomi weren’t finshed yet, though – the former decimating the visitors’ top order by taking 5 of the first 6 wickets, with the score only on 42. Figures of 10-5-22-5 completed a good all-round performance by the new Captain. Nomi (3 for 15) mopped the tail up, with Lewis Wilson & Mark Selby being the other wicket takers as the visitors were dismissed for just 96 in an innings that contained 4 ducks.
Well played all round, lads!
Report & picture: Jon Palmer
