Bolly lose out on return to Division One

BOLLINGTON started the 2016 season back in Division One following their back-to-back promotions in successive seasons.

Looking to carry their fine end of season form into the 2016 season, Bolly made the trip to Davenham for their first outing.

It was a typical brisk early season fixture where the hosts won the toss, and unpredictably elected to bowl first.

Division Two’s player’s player and Bollington captain Richard Hough was joined at the crease by Harri Dickinson and the visitors started well, putting on 30 inside the first 10 overs without losing a wicket.

Shortly after, the first wicket fell; South African Givon Christian bowled Hough on 15. Tom Barrass and Dickinson continued to steady the ship to take Bollington past 50.

Dickinson was the next man to fall for 37 closely followed by Barrass for 17, with the scores at 75-3 at drinks. The scores soon accelerated when Edgar and Bollington overseas player Faiz Kippie were teamed at the crease, putting on 50 for the next wicket before Kippie was bowled for a quick fire 31 closely followed by Edgar for 39.

Jahangir and Horsfield (17*) were the batsmen at the crease for the remaining 10 overs with the scores at 142-5. A 60-run partnership took the visitors past 200 to take all available batting points.

Jahangir was the last man to vacate for a 20 ball 35 and taking the visitors to a total of 208 for victory.

Jahangir struck early, removing Davenham opener for just four as Bollington took the early advantage.

However, the tables soon turned as the hosts took control of the game, opener J. Loveridge and overseas Christian dominating the next 35 overs to put them all but certain for an early victory.

Both players passed 50 before Stuart Plant gave Bollington a lifeline, removing Loveridge in the 36th over, as the scores approached 150. Plant (2-44) took his second three balls later to give the visitors a fighting chance of taking a result from the game.

Christian continued to terrorise and brought up a chanceless 100, taking Davenham within touching distance of an early season victory.

Davenham, requiring just 19 for victory, lost the centurion for 106, Jahangir with the wicket (2-41) but all seemed to little to late.

Harri Dickson (1-30) bowled well at the death, however, he couldn’t prevent a Davenham victory as Sam Bell knocked off the required runs in the final over.

Bollington take on Weaverham this weekend at the recreation ground.