Bolly make it three on the bounce

BOLLINGTON welcomed Sale to the recreation ground in the penultimate game of the season, with the hosts searching for their third successive league victory.

Bollington captain Richard Hough celebrated his 30th birthday in the week, elected to bat first as the hosts looked to set a competitive total.

Immediately Bollington struggled, first losing the wicket of H.Dickinson, closely followed by Cam Mackinnon as the scores passed 20. J.Dickinson was alongside Hough, but also failed to impact the scores as the visitors were well on top after 10 overs.

Horsfield accompanied Hough at the crease, and the two batsmen steadied proceedings. Hough was approaching his half century inside the first 20 overs with the score at 80-3.

Hough brought up his half century just before the drinks break and the home side looked rejuvenated.

With the partnership approaching the 100 mark, Horsfield lost his wicket for 43, caught in the covers with the scores evenly poised at 135-3 after 35 overs.

Kippie and Heathcote added a further 10 to the scores before losing their wickets, with Hough continuing to score freely. Ben Jeffery (27) was the next man in, who hit an array of boundaries off the final few overs.

Rick Hough brought up his first century of the season to take his side over the 200 run mark to see them set a total of 203 of victory, Hough finishing on 104 not out.

In reply Sale immediately struggled, with Alex Durie dominating, brilliantly backed up by Harri Dickinson at the other end.

Durie took two quick wickets of Brooks and Spells, with Dickinson removing Lawrence at the other end.

Durie then ran through the middle order as he brought up his fifth wicket inside his seventh over as Bollington were well on top with the scores at 50-6.

Dickinson continued his fine spell to take his 2nd and 3rd wickets of the afternoon to leave Bollington on the brink of their 8th victory of the season. Durie took his 6th wicket of the afternoon to finish with figures of 11 overs, 6 wickets for 23 runs.

Backed up brilliantly by H.Dickinson who finished with figures of 7 overs, 3 wickets for 30 runs.

J.Dicksinon then ran out the final batsman which saw Bollington take the victory as Sale were all out for 91.

Bollington’s final game of the season sees them make the short journey to Didsbury as they look to top off a great season in Division One.