Covid forces teatime abandonment

THE NSSCL Division Two match between Silverdale and Barlaston was abandoned at tea after one of the umpires returned a positive coronavirus result.

The match official had taken a test in the run-up to the fixture, but didn’t receive confirmation of the result until halfway through Saturday’s match.

The umpire is believed to have checked his mobile phone at tea and found out the news, which prompted discussions with both sides about how to proceed.

League officials were informed of the development and who would be deemed to be a close contact.

It was felt that the players would not have been in close contact, but the other umpire would, having shared changing facilities with his fellow official.

That meant both umpires would have to be stood down and left the teams assessing their options. The prospect of continuing the match with players umpiring was briefly mooted.

But it was felt that would be unfair given league umpires had been in charge for the first half.

And in the interests of safety for players, officials and spectators, it was decided to abandon the game at the midway point.

The match will not be replayed, but Silverdale and Barlaston will now receive their average points haul from the red-ball fixtures in the second half of the season towards their final league tally.

In the play possible, Barlaston had amassed 180 all out after opting to bat at Underwood Road.

Opener George Hawbrook struck a quickfire 45.

But it was all-rounder Jack Davies who was the star of the show with the bat as he compiled 72.

He hit 12 fours and one six in his 58ball knock. The abandonment was also hard on Silverdale youngster Matthew Moore, who had bowled superbly to pocket figures of 5-26.

However, Silverdale never got the chance to chase down that target following the coronavirus development at tea.

Four matches did take place - and reach a conclusion - with Norton in Hales making hay in the sun at Stafford.

Jack Furnival’s 83, which contained 10 fours and one six, set the platform for Norton in Hales to post 218-9 from their 45 overs.

Veteran campaigner Darren Long chipped in with 40, while Guy Seaton and Oliver Stark captured 3-25 and 3-35 respectively.

In reply, Anthony Sheeran delivered a stunning spell of bowling to rout Stafford for 75.

Sheeran took 6-13 and with Kashif Ali Moon helping himself to 3-26,

Norton in Hales cruised to victory.

Bignall End were also emphatic away winners as they returned from Meir Heath with the spoils.

Ali Azmat’s 56 was backed up by Ahsam Zaroof’s 46, 42 from Steven Brierley and Ben Dixon’s run-a-ball 32 not out as Bignall End reached 254-7 from the allocation. Oliver Edwards took 3-53.

Meir Heath were never in contention after tea and although Muhammed Waseem compiled 38, they were bowled out for 110.

Brierley (4-16) and Azmat (3-23) did the bulk of the damage for Bignall End.

Porthill Park seconds defeated Oakamoor at the Old County Ground.

Will Kilgariff smashed nine fours and three sixes in his 88 not out to power Porthill Park to 199-8.

Simon Wood (27) and 26 apiece from Faizan Zaroof and Jake Plummer led Porthill Park to their fine total, while Sri Lankan paceman Dilesh Kulasekara scooped 3-38.

Oakamoor openers Tom Sherratt (29) and Will Leeson (22) put on 59 for the first wicket in reply, but the wheels soon came off their reply.

They were reduced to 87-8 as Plummer (5-29) and Adam Ralphs (3-43) worked their magic. Johnathan Clowes went into attacking mode to hit six fours and half-a-dozen sixes in a 42-ball 73 not out, but Oakamoor were eventually dismissed for 175.

Rode Park & Lawton were fivewicket home winners against Caverswall. Craig Grimley and Elliot Wright both contributed 43, but Caverswall were bowled out for 147 as Darren Snape and Ian Harding both finished with 3-24.

Chris Baranowski and Iraq Thomas secured double strikes after tea, but Martin Dawson’s unbeaten 77 saw Rode Park & Lawton home.