Here’s all the action from Moddershall Cricket Club from the last week. Thanks to MELVYN DAWSON for the round-up…
1st Team v Newcastle & Hartshill – Won by 3 Wickets
Moddershall visited bottom-of-the league Newcastle, strengthened by the arrival of Club Professional Usman Salahuddin, who was delayed due to international duties with Pakistan A in Sri Lanka.
Having won the toss and elected to field (having seen a green and wet wicket where water had got under the covers) Moddershall set about their task in a disciplined manner and soon had Newcastle in trouble, reducing them to 19-5 with Mitchell SPENCER and Matt GOODWIN doing the damage. Newcastle then produced a stubborn fightback and at one point reached 36-5 off 37 overs. Newcastle stepped up their run rate to just under two per over when captain Sam KELSALL introduced himself to the attack and pegged Newcastle back again and finished with 3-19. SPENCER with 15 overs / 8 maidens / 2 wickets for 9 runs and GOODWIN, with 15 overs / 7 maidens / 2 wickets for 15 runs were the pick of the display in keeping Newcastle to 108 for 9 off 55 overs.
In reply, Moddershall started well with Fraser HAWKINS blasting a quickfire 16 before he was out with the score on 20. Then a major batting collapse caused by some fine bowling by Newcastle opening bowler WHITEHEAD (4-36) reduced Moddershall to 29-6. GOODWIN, though, produced an excellent rear guard to steady the ship and together with youngster Tom HOPE (22) they had a 7th wicket partnership of 74, when HOPE fell just short of the winning total. It was left to GOODWIN to hit the winning runs and finish on a superb 51 not out on a very difficult surface and lead the side to victory. Moddershall battled well and snatched a fine victory from the jaws of defeat in trying conditions.
[divider]
1st Team (Shark T20 1st Round Group 6) v Bignall End – Won by 7 Wickets
1st team entertained Bignall End in the opening game of Group 6 in this year’s T20 competition, Moddershall were favourites against their lower league opponents in a 10 over game, due to rain, came away with an easy victory, restricting Bignall End to 77-5. Ali SHAH taking 2-10 off his 2 overs, Sam KELSALL 2-15. In reply Moddershall got the required runs for the loss of 3 wickets with Tom BALL scoring 31 and Irfan KHAN, 21, Sam KELSALL finished 19 not out of only 8 balls
[divider]
1st Team (Shark T20 1st Round Group 6 – final) v Leek – Won by 9 Wkts
In the group final, Moddershall played fellow, premier league colleagues and 2nd placed,Leek, who had earlier beaten Wedgwood. Moddershall asked Leek to bat first and they scored a challenging 156-6 off 20 overs, pick of the bowling being Muhammed RAZA with 2-24 off 4 overs. In reply though, Moddershall were alwats in control with a fine opening partnership of 98 between Fraser HAWKINS(50) and Tom Ball (69 not out), Professional Usman SALAHUDDIN finished on 28 not out in an unbroken 2nd wicket partnership of 59 to see Moddershall through to the next stage of the T20 competition.
[divider]
2nd Team v Newcastle & Hartshill – Won by 2 Wickets
The 2nd team entertained 2nd placed Newcastle and caused a shock by producing an excellent performance. Newcastle batted first and struggled against an enthusiastic Moddershall bowling attack and they were bowled out for only 118. Youngsters Olly SLINN, taking, 5-36 off 14 overs and Kiernan GRIFFIN, 3-31 off 16 overs, being the destroyers.
In reply, Moddershall batting, produced a team effort and achieved the required runs off 30 overs with Dan GROUNDS top scoring with 27 but all batsman made a contribution in pulling off a fine win.
[divider]
‘A’ 1st Team v Stone SP – Winning Draw for Stone SP
The A team entertained near rivals and 3rd placed, Stone SP, looking for a vast improvement on last weeks performance. Asking Stone to bat first Moddershall produced a workmanlike performance and restricted Stone to 225-8 off allotted 55 overs, Young, Harry BAILEY turning in excellent figures of 4-40. Elliot COLCLOUGH 2-18. Moddershall started the innings in positive fashion with James FALCOUBRIDGE scoring 32 and Ali SHAH scoring an excellent 64, Moddershall, were on top and looking to record only their 2nd victory, but then a major batting collapse soon put a halt to these thoughts and in the end they hung on at 166-9 with Stone SP claiming a winning draw
[divider]
‘A’ 1st Team v JG Meakin/Fenton (Shark T20 1stRound Group 11) – Won by 7 Wkts
An extremely youthful ‘A’ team played Meakins/Fenton in their T20 game and came away with an emphatic 7 wicket victory, asking Meakins to bat first they bowled them out in 15 overs for 80. Ben ROBINSON 3-9, Olly SLINN 3-22 and Jack CHELL 2-16 doing the damage. In reply Moddershall got the required runs with 7 overs to spare with Joe MASON finishing on 45 not out off 39 balls. A morale boosting victory before the final.
[divider]
‘A’ 1st Team v Checkley (Shark T20 1stRound Group 11 Final) – Lost by 7 Wkts
The ‘A’ team couldn’t challenge their top-flight opponents Checkley. In a final reduced to 16 overs per side, Checkley were always in command after Nick Hunt’s 75 enabled them to amass 144-3. Moddershall battled valiantly in reply, with James Mason making 45, but they fell well short on 99-4.
[divider]
‘A’ 2nd Team v Stone SP – Won by 7 Wickets
‘A’ 2nds visited Stone SP and came away with a superb victory. Fielding first Moddershall soon had Stone SP on the rack and had reduced them to 60-9 only a battling 55 not out by Stone skipper Billy PRICE brought some respectibilty as Stone SP were eventually skittled for 125. Dave TOOTH 5-36, James MASON 4-45 doing the damage. Joe MASON then opened the innings and saw Moddershall home with 14 overs to spare with a fine 76 not out to give them a fine victory.
[divider]
Phoenix V Church Eaton (Pinfold Trophy Semi-Final) – Won by 6 Wickets
The Phoenix had a break from their so far 100% successful league programme. They visited Church Eaton in the Pinfold Trophy Semi-Final. Church Eaton batted first in the 40 over tie and scored a impressive 220 all out with Sadeeptha JAYATHILIKA being the pick of the Phoenix attack with an excellent 5-26. This was the highest total the Phoenix had faced this year and a challenge they had not yet faced this season, they were quickly reduced to 7-2 and staring a first loss in the face, however Ishara WEERASINGHE had other ideas and made light work of reaching the required runs scoring a magnificent 100 not out, supported by Chamilia GANEGODA(42) as the Phoenix eased home with 8 overs to spare and thus earn their place in the Final.
[divider]
ACADEMY
U15 V Stone SP (League) – Won by 8 Wickets
U15’S visited Stone SP in a top of the table clash and came home with a crushing 8 wicket victory to place themselves clear at the top of the table. Stone SP batted first and could not get on top of a disciplined Moddershall bowling display only mustering 66-7 off their 20 over’s, pick of the bowlers being Tom WATKINSON 2-9 AND Josh CRUMP 2-18. In reply Moddershall won with the loss of 2 wickets in only 8.2 overs, Greg CLARK scoring 32 and Harry BAILEY 18 not out off only 5 balls.
Earlier in the day they played Milford Hall in the Peter Gething Cup and won by the narrow margin of 6 runs. Batting first Moddershall scored a excellent 105-5 with Dan GROUNDS and Harry BAILEY both scoring 28(retired) and supported by James CLARK 21. In reply, they fielded and bowled with great discipline and restricted Milford to 99-2 thus progressing to the next round.
U13 Reds V Cheadle – Won by 50 Runs
U13 Reds visited top of the table, Cheadle, in their first match of the season. Having had the previous 2 games cancelled due to bad weather and they came away with a emphatic 50 run victory. Batting first Moddershall scored a respectable 95-3 (Net 280) with Aunn SHAH top scoring with 21. In reply a well disciplined fielding display kept Cheadle to 70-8 (Net 230). Lewis HASSALL, taking 2-5 and Josh CRUMP, 2-7. This victory moved the Reds up to 4th place with a game in hand, which if they win will see them reach top place.
U13 Blues v Stone SP – Won by 96 Runs
The Blues visited Stone SP and came away with a crushing 96 run victory. Having been asked to bat, the Blues scored an incredible 144-2 off 24 overs, Owen SNELSON 51 (Retired) and Callum HAWKINS 50 (Retired) leading the way. In reply Matt WRIGHT with 4-19, Alec PRICE 1-0 and Joseph HAWKINS 1-1 supported by excellent fielding with 2 run outs bowled Stone SP out for only 48 in 17.4 overs. This win puts the Blues into 3rd place in the League
U11 Cobras V Leek (County Cup) – Won by 134 Runs
Cobras visited Leek in the County Cup and came away with a astounding 134 run victory. Having been asked to bat first they scored and incredible 155-5 off 20 overs. Jack KNAPPER 33 retired not out, Alec PRICE 32 retired Not out, Callum HAWKINS 29 as well as extras 38 being the main run scorers. In reply Leek were overawed by a fine Moddershall display and were bowled out for 21 ! Finley BENTLEY-JONES 2-2, Nathan BUXTON 2-4 and Theo WYLIE 2-6 together with 4 run outs were the tormentors in Chief in this superb victory.
U11 Pumas v Newcastle Hawks – Won by 77 Runs
Pumas went to Newcastle and came away with a fine victory. Batting first they scored 110-2 (Net 300), Finley BENTLEY-JONES 16, Theo WYLIE 14, Joe HAWKINS 12 and Willian ELLIS 12. In reply Newcastle were restricted to 58-7 with BENTLEY-JONES again starring with 3-9. A fine all round match winning performance by him, which, extended the Pumas lead at the top of the table to 8 points from their nearest rivals.
U9 Panthers v Checkley – Lost by 1 run
Panthers visited Checkley and lost by the narrowest of margins. Moddershall scored 105-9(Net 460) in their 2 innings with Joe HAWKINS scoring a marvellous 34 in total. In reply Checkley squeezed home on 81-4(Net 461) Kyle OAKDEN taking 1-2 off 2 overs.
U9 Pumas v Sandbach – Lost by 81 runs
Pumas entertained Sandbach and suffered a heavy defeat. Moddershall scored 62-6 (Net 432) Keirnan LEWIS scored 10 and Ben HOUSLEY 8, In reply Sandbach scored 128-3 (Net 513) with Sam SIMPSON taking 2-10 and Asa DAWSON 1-14.
U9 Cobras v Stone SP Pegasus – Won by 107 Runs
Cobras visited Stone and achieved a great win, Batting first Cobras scored a daunting 148 for 4 (Net 528) with Finley BENTLEY-JONES 26, George KEELING 29 and Max COOKE 25 being the pick of a fine batting display. In reply Stone SP Pegasus scored 66-9 (Net 421) KEELING also starred with the ball taking 2-6 and Elliot HARRIS also 2-6. This win puts the Cobras joint top of the league.
