Another grim day and loss for Clifton
“Next week we are at home again against Mickleover and we will be looking for a repeat performance to take us further up the league, where we ought to be,” added Bateman.
Ashbourne seconds were also in good form, beating Clifton thirds after bowling them out for 100 in Division Nine South West.
The big highlight was a hattrick for Shane Wibberley, bowling Clifton captain Steve Walwyn first, then doing the same to Ben King and Oscar Wainwright.
Wibberley went on to take 5-20 from nine overs.
Ashbourne’s Liam Duffy also highlighted the contribution of Aris Alam, which initially put Clifton under pressure.
“Aris bowled his first eight overs for only seven runs and put Clifton under great pressure,” said Duffy.
“All the Ashbourne bowlers bowled well and Clifton just got to 100 but that was probably worth 125, as the outfield was very slow.”
Nick Pearson (30) and George Padden (22) had Ashbourne’s reply going comfortably at 48-0 at drinks but Pearson and Ed Hodgson were out soon after.
Duffy and Padden ground the score up to 92 before both were out, Duffy having made 24 from 60 balls and Padden’s vigil lasting 112 balls.
Walwyn (2-13 from nine overs) and King (0-7 off nine overs) made it difficult for them but Alam and Andy Hill hit the winning blows with five overs to spare.
Ashbourne thirds lost by one wicket in a tight game against Tutbury fourths.
They made 148, with 35 from Vinnie Pegg and 34 from Tim Rider but after Tutbury’s James Thompson made 40, it was 31 not out from number nine Matthew Thompson which eased Tutbury home after 29 overs, Pegg’s 4-19 and Rider’s 3-23 counting for nothing in the end.
CLIFTON firsts were unable to chase down the 297-4 posted by Morton Colliery at Chapel Lane in Division One.
A run-a-ball innings of 138 not out and 86 by Saad Khattak, who put on 223 for the fourth wicket, gave Clifton
everything to do.
Alex Blake again batted really well for his second successive half-century, making 69 from 59 balls with eight fours and a six but wickets fell too steadily.
Tom Hilton made 37 and Mohsin Alie 36 but they were all out for 232 from 46.2 overs.
To complete a bad day for Clifton, the seconds saw their 155-8 chased down for the loss of three wickets by Rosehill Methodists.
BRAILSFORD fell 72 runs short in chasing Rolleston seconds’ 228-7 in Division Three South. They had no way back after slumping to 47-6. Duncan Player’s 39 helped them to 156 all out in the end.