Monday 5th
May
Cuckney
II 138 all out (40 overs) [5 points]
Thoresby II
141 for 9 (50.4 overs) [20 points]
But for a
remarkable 59 run last-wicket stand from father-son partnership George (22) and
Andy Bostock (59*), this game would have finished
shortly after the scheduled teatime. As it was it went to the wire, with
Thoresby almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, but ultimately
gaining maximum points thanks to the diligence of captain
Walker and bravery of Kiwi Winslade.
A much
changed Thoresby side from the previous Saturday saw the opening bowling
partnership of Winslade and Jepson soon posing
problems for Cuckney. Despite one or two well-struck
blows, Sanger departed caught at the wicket by Godders
off Jeppo. Winslade, building
a good pace, then dismissed the young 3 & 4 batsmen, leaving the home side
on 29 for 3. Unfortunately Winslade later had to be
helped from the field, having twisted an ankle in delivery. Cuckney
still found scoring hard and wickets came in clumps. After some buffet bowling
from Dave Evans, a two over spell saw three wickets fall on 77 and another on
79. This brought Bostock Snr
(soon to be drawing his pension but a finer head of hair than most others on
the field!) to join son Andy. Excellent batting ensued, with Andy providing the
lusty blows and George the solid defence, frustratingly taking the score on to
138 before Woody had George LBW.
Winslade 3-25
and Jepson 4-57 were the pick of the bowlers, Ian Godfrey taking three catches
behind the wicket.
Evans and
Halfpenny started slowly but solidly, until both were out in the same over to
Sanger leaving Thoresby on 31-2. Paul Hughes came to the wicket and took
command, striking the ball well into the gaps. But as wickets fell cheaply
around him, and then he was caught at mid off for 42, Thoresby suddenly looked
short of their target with few batsmen left. 111 for 7 quickly became 112 for 9
and no.11 Winslade limped out with runner Godfrey to
join skipper Walker. Cuckney were well up for the
fight by this time, but a measured approach saw Thoresby inch towards their
target. As the tension grew and temperature dropped, Winslade
cracked the winning boundary through cover point to the delight of the
significant Thoresby spectating contingent.