Skipper steps up with the bat!!

On a very windy Grange Park we arrived early to find the covers half way to Quinton but the pitch dry despite the heavy rain on Friday.

The wind was going to be an issue and it was decided not to use the sight screens as there was a risk of them blowing over.

Horton won the toss and decided to bat first. Thinking behind my decision being the difficulty in bowling in the wind . Following a discussion in the changing room Kev decide to open the batting with Himself and Paul Wolstenholme.
A decision that looked interesting when Paul was bowled with the second ball of the game! In came Mike McDonnell to join the skipper. On a difficult pitch where the ball wasn't coming on and with the occasional low bounce both found timing the ball tricky. However dogged determination not to get out and steady accumulation built up the basis of a good partnership. At drinks Kev and Mike took the total up to 82 for 1. Mike reached his 50 soon after and a couple of overs later so did the skipper. Kev's first 50 for Horton in Fifteen seasons. (I've always told you I could bat?)
Kev was eventually out for 53 when the partnership had reached 132. Mike continued to accumulate boundaries and was finally caught behind for 90 . With further contributions notably 16 not out from Alan Pitt we reached 188 for 5 off our 45 overs. This was only the second time this season we had passed 180. At tea we were positive that we could give Heyford some problems chasing this score.

Heyford's innings started with Finn Herrington and Tom Hilton starting well with the new ball without any luck. 0-22 and 0-20 respectively.
Paul and Kev bowled next finishing with 0-19 and 0-31 after tight spells. Heyford batted well putting the bad balls away and reached the target for the loss of only 2 wickets. Two good innings from Tom Robson 62 and his brother Connor 64 not out saw them home in 35.5 overs. Good bowling from George Pitt 1-31 slowed them up a bit and the other wicket was picked up by Elliott Cantrell 1-38

Heyford continue on their quest for top spot win by 8 wits (25points). Horton 4 points.

Next week we visit Weldon looking for a much needed win . We take the positives from both bat and ball from this game into our last 6 matches.

Kev Taylor 3rd team Captain.