Bollington maintain impressive start

BOLLINGTON travelled to Oulton Park in an eagerly anticipated fixture with both sides starting well at this early stage in the season.

With 13 coming off the first over, Bollington looked in a commanding position with Dickinson and Hough starting well. The over later saw Dickinson fall for 13, Simon Dunn next man in.

Bollington stabilised and took them passed the 15 over mark with the score 40-1. Dunn (12) fell shortly after which brought Ward to the crease. The scoring rate quickly increased with Ward hitting back-to-back boundaries in his first over.

Ward (24) fell just before the Drinks break with the scores at 81-2 as Henshall was the next batsman in. With Hough batting sensibly at the opposing end Henshall was given a licence to attack.

The scores were propelled to put Bollington in a commanding position at drinks. It only took another 5 overs and Henshall raced to his half century which saw the visitors pass the 150 mark.

Soon after Henshall fell for 50 closely followed by Hough (28).

This brought two new batsmen to the crease who continued to frustrate the opposition, Edgar (14), Barrass (17) and Cross (26) took the scores past 200 with 8 overs remaining.

Plant (19*), Horsfield (6) and Seale (20) put Bollington in a commanding position setting the hosts 237 for victory.

Bollington opened the bowling with Seale and Dickinson who threatened early on with early chances just finding gaps in the field.

A change in the bowling had an immediate impacted as Plant bowled danger man East for 30 in what would turn out to be a devastating spell from the left arm spinner.

Seale backed up Plant brilliantly at the other end and his efforts were soon rewards as he removed Tomlinson without troubling the scorers caught by Cross behind the stumps.

Plant then tore through the middle order removing Leech, Roberts, Latham and Gibbons in successive over to bring up his first five wicket haul of the season. Seale ended his terrific opening spell with figure of 1-9 off 11 overs and was replaced by Ward (4-3), followed by Plant. Proceedings ended in just the 32nd over of the Oulton Park innings, Plant ending with match winning figures of 6-34 off 12 overs.

Bollington’s seconds won for the second time this season beating Heaton Mersey. Bollington 193 - Leese (51) Bowled out the visitors for 89 - Bishop (4-33) and Nolan (4-34) the pick from the scorecard.