At last some Cricket Weather!

Considering the amount of rain we've had at Grange Park for the last 3 weeks it was a relief to get some cricket and to see the ground looking in reasonable shape for the visit of Weldon 2nds.

The pitch looked in fairly good nick and after two days of sun had dried out on the surface. It was however a little soft with the moisture underneath and looked like a good track to bowl on first. So could Kev win the toss? No of course not so we were put in to bat.

Some good tight bowling early on meant that runs were hard to come by and Keith Halford and Finn Herrington started steadily putting on 20 before Keith was somehow caught by Matthew Hay whilst falling over backwards for 8. Finn Herrington grafted away for a dogged 14 before he fell with the score at 31 in the 17th over. Mike McDonnell and Nik Patel put on 26 for the 3rd wicket when Nik was given out LBW for 8 (even though he was convinced he'd hit it) making the score 57 for 3 in the 24th over. James Hawksworth nicked one to the keeper off young Joey Harris for 0 and we were 62 for 4. In at number 6 came Harry Bennett-Sulsh playing as a late replacement to partner Mike and the two of them put on 37 runs before Mike was finally bowled for a battling 47 with the score on 99 in the 40th over. Harry and Mitchell Boffin then took the score to a respectable 124 for 5 at the end of our 45 overs. Harry batted very well for 20 not out in his first 3rd team game. Mitchell was unbeaten on 7.

Set 125 for victory Weldon showed they were up for the fight when Will Jones hit the fourth ball of the innings for 6 off George Pitt's bowling, but when he tried to repeat the feat two balls later his off stump was rattled by George , 7 for 1. In the fifth over George bowled the other opener for 4 and then in the 8th over skipper Kev Taylor bowled number 3 for just 3 and Weldon were 14 for 3. Matt and Will Hay then steadied the ship for 10 overs taking the score to 47 when Will top edged a pull shot off Keith Halford straight to George Pitt at short fine leg.
When Keith picked up a second wicket LBW , Weldon were struggling at 59 for 5 off 24 overs. the next to fall was Cameron Simpson , smartly caught behind by Ted off James Hawksworth's bowling. However, Matt Hay continued to be resolute despite a couple of really close LBW shouts and a dubious run out appeal that was given not out and reached 66 not out and with the the help of 13 year old Joey Harris 12 not out saw Weldon home in 39 overs for the loss of six wickets. Another 2 bowling points for us and we slip to 7th in the Division 8 table.

Next week we take on second placed Brigstock at home hoping for a few more runs to back up our decent bowling efforts.

Report by Kevin Taylor ( 3rd Team Captain).