Withnell make BAC fold (01/08/10 m.r)

The trip to Withnell Fold started out to be a murky one, the weather wasn’t superb and the pitch was soft (which was no surprise to anyone). Gaskell (Ibiza), Stu Pilks (work commitments) and Isherwood (wife commitments) were all absent. Happy anniversary by the way Ish. However Andy “holiday highlights” Hollinhurst and first teamer Chadders were back in the fray to add much needed depth in the bowling attack. Due to absences the BAC side did look short of one or two run scorers.

As mentioned the weather wasn’t the best, it was overcast, cold and looked asif a little bit of rain could dampen the day. However it was reported the wicket played OK the day before which would have been encouraging for the batting side in bowled friendly conditions.

The captains went out to the middle and Wilson (due to last weeks toss win) was out there again to call. Heads was the call and it was a head. We were there to field and hopefully make some early inroads.

Skin head Cameron and Holiday highlights Hollinhurst were to open the bowling for the visitors and both started ok but bowled too many short balls and they just sat up for the Withnell openers who put them away easily. But early into Hollinhursts spell came a moment of madness, the number 2 batsmen played the ball into the leg side and immediately called for 2, Dougie, who clearly heard the call, strolled towards the ball to lure them into a false sence of security and once they had set off for the second fired a bullet to Jack behind the stumps to whip off the bails with the batsmen out of sight. In came the number 3 who didn’t last long courtesy of a sharp slip catch by Chadders at gulley off Hollinhurst. Number 4 (Chapple) came in and steadied the ship with the dangerous number 1 batsmen and they both looked in complete control. Wilson and Hothersall replaced Hollinhurst and Cameron respectively and after a slow start and some lusty blows Wilson removed Chapple with a slower ball for 20 odd and Hothersall got the dangerous Evans caught Steinson for 30 odd.

With two fresh batsmen at the crease Steinson and Chadders came into the attack. Steinson should have had a wicket first ball as the batsmen top edged it down to fine leg where Chadders misjudged the catch and it fell to the ground. Both Chadders and Steiny bowled well but the batsmen kept it ticking over at a good rate. When Steiny had the number 5 caught at square leg by Cammy. Chadders then got the number 6 caught by Jack Wilson and got another quickly after from a sharp caught and bowled.

Cam then replaced Steiny and took the wicket of Walker caught at gulley by a diving Hothersall. And Holiday highlights took the last two wickets both bowled after a dangerous looking number 11 came in and looked to try and accelerate the rate.

After teas Dougie went out to the middle partnered by Sol to open up for BAC. Jonny went second ball for 1 and Eddie entered the arena. Sol was sticking around blocking and blocking while letting Steinson knock the ball around and accumulate the runs. Steiny started to put the ball to the boundary with ease but after a good fight back we lost Sol (9), also caught behind then Jack Mansfield came and went for 0. Wilson came to the crease and also didn’t last long gifting a leaning edge to mid-off for 4. Tingle, Nathan George and Jack Wilson fell soon after for 1, 1 and 4. While this was happening Steiny had passed his 50 in emphatic style but was struggling with a wrist injury and succumbed to the pain haling out to deep mid-on going for a big shot on 55.

With Cam and Andy at the crease and 60 still needed it seemed a bridge too far but they stuck around playing some shots and trying to amount a comeback, this didn’t last too long as Cam fell for 6 caught behind then Chadders fended a short ball to slip off his glove for 0. Andy the unbeaten man with a well made 14 not out.

So another poor batting performance by BAC, with the top 5 not really contributing apart from Eddie who batted well but threw his wicket away at a crucial moment.

Moment of the game would be Andy “Robin Smith” Hollinhursts four over cover. Magical shot.

All the bowlers did their part with Andy taking 3, Chadders 2 and Wilson, Hothersall, Steiny and Cam all taking one. As far as batting is concerned only Eddie and Andy contributed with 55 and 14 not out respectively.

Next week we have Gregson Lane at home, a must win after 2 poor defeats. Contributions from the top 5 are imperative to setting/chasing a total.

Aufedersein

Willow