Disappointing close for Kerridge
KERRIDGE hosted the final game of the 2019 season in glorious sunshine versus Bowdon Vale with the luxury of knowing neither side could improve on their positions in the table and play the game under no pressure.
Home skipper John Grayston won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first on an ever drying wicket. The opening pair batted well, putting on 41 before James Knight (2/25) had Langley pinned in front for 19 before picking up Johnson lbw for 0 two balls later.
Bottomley (25) and skipper Power settled back down taking the score into three figures before the latter fell for a captain’s innings of 64 caught on the ropes by Knight off the bowling of Seby Babu.
With Babu (3/27) holding his end well and the introduction of spinner Ste Regan, aided by some good catching, wickets began to tumble more regularity with only Mills and Hasan making it to double figures and Regan claiming the match ball with a well earned 5/33 seeing the Vale all out for 163 in the 42nd over. Credit also to stand in keeper Joe Beard who had a good game.
Kerridge were confident of chasing down the total on a now dry track. Knight and Banks initially started at a good run rate before Banks was snared lbw by a ball which kept low after hitting a couple of boundaries, bringing man of the match Regan to the crease who followed up his fine display in the field helping to bring up the team’s 50 before losing partner Knight for 23.
After that followed a succesion of ducks for Capper, Beard, Brown, Babu and Grayston. Regan passed his personal fifty and had got to 62 when rightly or wrongly he chased one outside off to present an easy catch to the field getting Kerridge to 101/7 .
Grimes and Harbige tried to claw away at the target but alas Kerridge could only limp to 120 all out.
It brought an end to an up and down season which was blighted by poor weather and on a few occasions poor squad numbers, the players will be disappointed with the way 2019 panned out as expectations were high after gaining promotion as champions last term.
The club would like to say a big thank you to all of the match ball sponsors old and new and to also thank all of the supporters that come and endure the cricket (at times) along with the elements regardless to cheer on ‘The Ridge’