STAGS IN A RUT AS SAINTS TURN UP THE HEAT!
Friday night saw not only the continuation of Saints’ unbeaten start to the GMCL20 campaign but, equally as importantly to some, the debut of the Club’s new barbecue (which was quickly mastered by Sue & Lisa!).
On the pitch, as at Denton Daredevils seven days previously, skipper Kyle O’Reilly lost the toss and found his team fielding first. Dan Moriarty bowled the first – and his only – over of the match, taking a wicket with the second ball. Jones & Fenton added 59 for the second wicket – by some distance, the best of the innings – but were separated when Neil Hornbuckle (4-0-21-2) claimed the first of his brace of wickets. The Stags’ batsmen came & went at regular intervals during the second half of the innings, as they finished on 145 for 7. Scott Kirwin & Nick Bailey each took 1 wicket from their 4 overs, and Ethan Illingworth, brought on for the 20th over, claimed a wicket with his second ball, thanks to the safe hands of Ryan Waterhouse behind the stumps.
Matt Sonczak and, particularly Neil Hornbuckle, set about the run chase with some purpose, the South African making 38 (from 19 balls) of the opening partnership of 47 in just over 4 overs, and all but 2 of his runs coming in boundaries. Scott Kirwin was in an even greater hurry – possibly with an eye on catching “last orders” at the barbecue – scoring one more than Neil, but facing two balls fewer. When the second wicket fell with the score on 109, the halfway point of the 20 overs still had not been reached. Matt Sonczak (34* from 26 balls) & Mark Dillnutt (16* from 11) saw Saints home at the start of the 13th over without further loss, to record a comprehensive 8 wicket win which puts us top of Pool 3.
It is our turn to sit out next Friday night – our next assignment in the shortest form of the game is away to Flowery Field on June 7th.
Reporter: Jon Palmer
