1st Team v Whitmore – Won by 2 wickets
Moddershall travelled to the home of the current league leaders on a fine sunny afternoon. Having won the toss, Whitmore were asked to bat and the decision initially paid off with Matt Goodwin taking an early wicket leaving the hosts on 3 for 1. However STONIER (49) and Whitmore’s overseas professional Yasim MUTAZA (63) then formed a 99-run partnership, but the introduction of 17 year-old Tom HOPE changed things in favour of Moddershall, as he produced a fine spell of bowling, dismissing both and also ex-pro KUMAR within his 7 over spell, finishing with 3-19.
This checked the Whitmore innings and they began to rebuild but some excellent tight bowling by Muhammed Anis RAZA with figures of 3-52 off 16 overs and the unlucky Mitchell SPENCER, who bowled 11 overs for only 19 runs, left Whitmore with a total of 201-7 off their allotted overs.
In reply, Moddershall started similar to Whitmore, losing the opener Irfan Khan with only 8 on the board, Fraser HAWKINS (41) and Tom BALL (31) steadied things with a 70 run partnership, but then both fell quickly leaving Moddershall on 80-3. Sam KELSALL and HOPE came together and started to rebuild the innings until KELSALL was unfortunately run out for 24. HOPE continued to show his growing maturity by gritting things out whilst a flurry of wickets fell, HOPE was dismissed for 50, his second in two weeks, and this left Moddershall teetering on 169-7. However, the experienced Dave HOUSLEY came to the crease and produced a fine cameo innings of 18 not out, hitting the winning runs with two balls to spare to see Moddershall home. It was an excellent all-round performance by the team, but special praise goes to HOPE who produced a performance of excellence beyond his years.
[divider]
1st Team v Stone SP (Staffs Cup 2nd Round) – Lost by 9 wickets
After the heroics of the previous day, Moddershall visited the Premier League Champions Stone in the Staffs Cup and could not produce the same performance; this was possibly due to the loss of 5 players from the previous day’s heroics. Moddershall won the toss and elected to bat, but the innings never really got going losing wickets at regular intervals due to some fine bowling by Oliver PERRY 2-19 and George HAWBROOK 3-49, restricted Moddershall to 186 for 9 off 45 overs, Elliot COLCLOUGH coming into the side making 44 with Irfan KHAN 29, Matt GOODWIN 22 and a spirited flurry at the end of the innings by youngster Kieran GRIFFIN who made 23.
In reply, Moddershall were always going to struggle to contain a strong Stone batting line up and tried 9 bowlers but Stone reached their target for the loss of only 1 wicket Luke CHEADLE (43) with John CHEADLE finishing 76 not out and Phil CHEADLE 39 not out, Stone eased over the victory line with 5 overs to spare, thus ending Moddershall’s interest in this year’s competition.
[divider]
‘A’ 1ST TEAM v OAKAMOOR – Won By 84 Runs
The ‘A’ team entertained Oakamoor, looking for that, so far elusive, first victory of the season. Having lost the toss, the A team were asked to bat first. The ‘A’ team batted sensibly and with Jack CHELL leading the way with 59, Elliot COLCLOUGH (38) and the Old ‘dog’, skipper Scott OLIVER (30). After the start and being 167-4, Moddershall lower order did not contribute as the skipper would have liked and the side finished with a total of 190-9.
In reply, The ‘A’ team rattled the opposition straight from the start, with Shaukat BASHIR “show” in taking the first 5 wickets and then producing a run out, he then let Kieran GRIFFIN mop up the tail with figures of 3-16 off 11 overs and not to be outdone, BASHIR held the catch to give the ‘A’ team its first victory of the season. BASHIR produced figures of 5-49 off 18 overs. A superb and comprehensive victory which will hopefully kick start the season.
[divider]
2nd TEAM v Cheadle – Lost By 7 wickets
Moddershall 2nd team entertained Cheadle and on winning the toss, batted first. They batted steadily throughout the innings but collapsed from 161-6 to 181 all out. Youngster Harry BAILEY top scored with 55, with Dan GROUNDS(29), Ben DEGG(25) AND Phil HAWKINS(22) providing support.
In reply, Cheadle made light work of winning by scoring the required runs in only 32 overs with 7 wickets to spare. A disappointing conclusion for the 2nds who after last week’s excellent win, were brought back to earth with a bump.
[divider]
‘A’ 2nd TEAM v Oakamoor – Lost By 5 wickets
The ‘A’ 2nd team travelled to Oakamoor and came away with a heavy loss, having elected to bat first, the ‘A’ team produced a poor batting display, being 119 all out, only Dean Tooth contributed with a plucky 40. In reply, Oakamoor were solid in their reply and reached the winning line for loss of 5 wickets with 16 overs to spare. Chris WRIGHT was the only bowler of note with 2-28.
[divider]
‘A’ 2nd TEAM v ELWORTH (Talbot Shield 2nd Rd) – Lost By 3 wickets
In the Shield game, the following day, the ‘A’ 2nd team were looking to progress against their higher league opponents. However, these thoughts were dispelled as Elworth restricted Moddershall to 166 all out with only Dean TOOTH (46) and Nick HALLAM (30) making any significant scores. In reply, Elworth won with 5 overs and 3 wickets to spare, Kevin LANGDOWN taking 2-44 off his allotted 9 overs.
[divider]
MODDERSHALL PHOENIX v Leigh – Won By 22 runs
The Phoenix remains with a 100% record and clear at the top of the Stone & District Premier League. Entertaining Leigh, Phoenix won the toss and batted first, the Phoenix scored at a rate of over 5 per over to score 208 all out in 38 overs, Sadeeptha Jayathilaka scored 44 and Ishara Weerasinghe scored 37. In reply Leigh were restricted by some tight bowling and Phoenix made full use of the extra over’s they had due to their aggressive batting and bowled Leigh out for 185 in 51 overs. Pick of the bowlers being Dinesh COORAY, 3-17 off 10 over’s, Weerasinghe 2-14 and Perera 2-19.
Another superb and positive performance which has seen the Phoenix sits proudly at the top of the league.
[divider]
ACADEMY
U13 Reds v Barlaston (cup) – Won by losing fewer wickets
U13 Reds entertained Barlaston and had a highly entertaining game which they won by losing the fewer wickets. Barlaston batted first and scored 76-4 (net 256) off their 16 overs, Callum WOOD taking 2-9 off his 2 overs. In reply ‘The Reds’ scored 66-2(net 256), Josh Crump top scoring with 17 and leading the team into the next round. A great win.
U11 Cobras v Milford Hall (County cup) – Won by 115 runs
Cobras travelled to Milford and won comprehensively to progress into the next round. Batting first the Cobras scored 154-2 off 20 overs, Callum HAWKINS 30 Ret, Alec PRICE 32 Ret, Jack KNAPPER 22. In reply Milford were restricted to 42-8, with Owen SNELSON 2-6 being the pick of the bowlers.
U10 Cobras v Church Eaton – Won by 26 Runs
U10 Cobras entertained Church Eaton and came out worthy winners with a 26 run victory, Cobras fielded first and gave a great performance in restricting Church Eaton to 36-5 (Net 214), Liam SHONE 3 overs 5 runs 2 wickets, In reply Cobras scored 45-1(Net 240) Ben HOUSLEY top scoring with 6.
U9 Cobras v Milford Hall (Cup) – Won By 69 Runs
U9 Cobras visited Milford Hall and came away with a fine 69 run victory taking them into the next round of the Ralph Mitchell Cup. Milford batted fist and scored 74-5,(Net 449) pick of bowlers being Ben HOUSLEY 2-10, Cobras batted really well and scored 123-1(net 518), L Shrehorn 16no, T Efford 16no, Finley Bentley-Jones 26no and Ben Housley 17no.
U9 Panthers v LEEK (Cup) – Won By 26 Runs
U9 Panthers visited Leek and came away with an excellent 26 run victory. Leek batted first and scored 53-5 (Net 428), Ajay BANSAL 2-2, Kyle OAKDEN 2-7 being the best bowlers, In reply Panthers scored 74-4(Net 454), Rohan BANSAL 7 and Elliot MASSEY 7 top scoring and leading the Panthers into the next round.
