Hill and Bateman ensure Ashbourne salvage draw
ASHBOURNE 1st XI’S first match back was a losing draw away against Hartshorne 1st.
For the first 20 overs Ashbourne were holding their own against Hartshorne in Division Five South of the Derbyshire County Cricket League.
Hartshorne had been relegated from Division Four last season but looking at their form guide they hadn’t been totally outclassed.
And with a couple of new players they seem confident of making a quick return to Division Four.
Ashbourne bowled reasonably well on a slow, true pitch and by the halfway point they had restricted Hartshorne to 80-2.
However, a stunning 139 not out from former Lullington Park first team player Jimmy Goodman, plus 70 from wicketkeeper Jake Redfern, rocked Ashbourne.
The visitors were unable to stem the runs as 190 were added from the last 20 overs.
Highlights for Ashbourne included the bowling of Uthum and Charity De Silva plus a debut for new signing Simon Ashmore, who had proved to be a worthy opponent last season when playing for Draycott and Hanbury.
In reply, only Uthum de Silva looked comfortable as the top five batsmen scored 14.
With a potential early finish it was left to Richard Hill (58 not out) and Marcus Bateman ( 24 not out) to resuscitate the Ashbourne innings and the pair were left unbeaten at the end of the game.
Ashbourne finished on 145-5 which was below par but the draw took nine points from the home side with the return game to come.
Captain Liam Duffy said: “Even with the result today the central issue was the return to recreational cricket.
“It was great to be back playing. Hats off to Jimmy Goodman who played a smashing innings.
“We have to get better in all aspects of the game if we want to compete in this division.
“But due to the way the league runs this season it is a chance to gauge ourselves against half the division.
“Uthum bowled a great opening spell with good carry and Richard Hill batted superbly under pressure on the field.
“But we were rusty in the field and we will get better in the coming weeks.”
He added: “Later in the evening Ashbourne CC chair David Wood featured on a radio five live phone-in on the return of recreational cricket and it was there that I found out he had potentially broken his finger while keeping wicket!
“He hadn’t mentioned it to me – they are made of steel in the north-east!”
Ashhbourne 1st XI are at home to Kings Bromley 1sts on Saturday.
Ashbourne’s 2nd XI suffered a six-wicket home defeat against Kings Bromley 2nd.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, Shane Wibberley top scoring with 49 in 114 all out total.
Wicketkeeper and opening batsman Ben Nichols then carried his bat for Kings Bromley, finishing on 44 not out as the visitors reached their target in the 35th over.
Ashbourne’s 1sts also travelled to face a Clifton XI in a friendly, losing by eight wickets.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, making 165-5 in 35 overs with skipper Liam Duffy retiring on 50.
Phil March and Harvey Clarke also retired on 50 for Clifton who reached their target for the loss of two wickets in the 34th over.