Saturday 10^th May

Whitwell II 131 all out (39.3 overs) [1 point]

Thoresby II 132 for 1 (31.5 overs) [20 points]

An altogether more confident performance saw Thoresby move into second spot in Division 6 by the end of the day, overcoming a Whitwell side that blooded its youngsters but really relied on its experienced players for performances.

Rob Walker said he lost the toss but was not disappointed to field first. The inclusion of Jamie Jepson provided more threat for Thoresby early on, but it was Paul Hutchinson who penetrated first, with the wickets of skipper Craig Sadler then youngster Haslam, at 16 for 2. Ashley struck a few lusty blows but was over-ambitious and was caught, trying to pull a ball that was far too quickly on to him, by Lippeatt at mid-on off Hutchy. Teenager Hall timed the ball well, but hit everything legside and rode his luck.

Meanwhile, veteran Gary France (yes, he did retire last season but has had the call from clubmates!) was showing his pedigree by timing the ball well, especially through his favourite wide mid-on area. Unfortunately he was given several opportunities, being dropped by the unlucky Russ Marson off Hutchinson and then, later, the stumper missed a stumping off Lippeatt. Runs were leaking away and Whitwell looked to be set for a good total.

However, the introduction of Woods sparked a resurgence amongst the flagging Thoresby team. Hall was finally out for 23, caught at silly mid on by Halfpenny off Big Brian. Then, when France was stumped for 57 (6x4), his was the first of four wickets to fall on 127. Jeppo, having bowled well but taken 0 for 31 off his first 11 overs, then took 3 wickets in four balls, all clean bowled. Brian Woods then completed the flurry of wickets to finish with figures of 4 for 20 off 8.3 overs.

In fact, Whitwell lost their last 6 wickets for 4 runs in 21 balls with four ducks!

Jeppo 12-1-31-3

Hutch 11-2-40-3

Billy 8-0-30-0

Woody 8.3-2-20-4

With usual opener Stuart Evans taking a sabbatical at the 1^st division playoffs (NFFC 1v1 SUFC), Halfpenny and Case faced up to Whitwell’s opening attack of Ian Sadler (snr) and youngster Coalwood. From the word ‘go’ the plan was to see off Sadler and take runs from the other end. Although scoring came in fits and starts, sound concentration tended to frustrate Whitwell as Sadler tried everything in his repertoire to conjure a wicket. In reality, it wasn’t until the 20^th over, when Case was adjudged LBW for a sound 20, that a breakthrough was made with the score on 57. This brought Alan Wilkinson to the crease. He had a look at the bowling, but then unleashed some aggressive shots to unsettle the usually metronomic Sadler. As the bowlers were switched around, both batsmen punished some wayward bowling to see Thoresby comfortably home with some 20 overs to spare. A slight hiccup with the scoring meant that an extra over needed to be bowled and both Wilkinson (2x6, 4x4) and Halfpenny (7x4) were then able to complete their half-centuries, each finishing exactly 50NO.

A comfortable win in the end for Thoresby, but there were times when it could have slipped away from us when bowling. We should be confident we have the attack to trouble any side in this league.

A word for the excellent umpire Mr.M.Griffiths. Legend has it he used to teach both Woody and Russ at the Dukeries, so he must be well into his 80’s by now!

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