Not so Hale and hearty for Runcorn’s opener
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RUNCORN Cricket Club’s first XI travelled to Hale Barns for the first game of their debut season in the Cheshire County Cricket League.
Unfortunately for Runcorn, the game did not go to plan and the realities of stepping up to a higher league soon became apparent.
Hale Barns – who finished second behind Runcorn last season to also gain promotion – won the toss and elected to put the visitors into bat on their Brooks Drive track.
Runcorn openers Ryan Beech and Liam Keenan were soon in the thick of it and with only 11 on the board, they lost their first wicket when the latter was bowled by Ben Hicks for one.
This set the tone for the rest of the innings with Runcorn struggling to contain the Hale Barns attack of Hicks and Joe Cooper.
Wickets continued to tumble with only Beech (16), Will Magee (22) and David McNamara (33) the only players to get into double figures.
Runcorn’s innings came to an end with the final wicket falling for a total of 108 off 43.1 overs.
Hicks and Cooper were the most impressive of the Hale Barns attack snapping up 4-31 and 4-30 respectively.
In reply, Hale Barns batted well and soon knocked them off for the loss of just one wicket. Cooper also proved a thorn in the side for Runcorn with his bat as he finished with an unbeaten 45.
Back at Moughland Lane, Runcorn’s second XI began their 2018 season entertaining their counterparts from Hale Barns.
The Moughland Lane pitch was looking in great condition after great efforts were made by the groundstaff at the club to get it ready for the season, no mean feat after the dreadful weather in recent months.
Hale Barns skipper Tom Entwistle won the toss and elected to field.
Runcorn openers Jack Beech and Mike Jenner started well, especially Beech who scored steadily while his batting partner ably supported him at the other end.
Jenner went first after putting on 63 with Beech.
Matt Keenan was next in, but a mix-up between the batsmen resulted in Beech being run out just four runs short of his 50.
Runcorn recovered and they had reached 84 before the next wicket went down. Keenan continued to bat well and was well supported by the likes of Alan Watt (14) and skipper Andy Booth (24) Runcorn eventually finished on an excellant 200-7 off their 45 overs. Keenan finished unbeaten on 63. Jordan Collins was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers taking 3-33 from his 12 overs of work.
Hale Barns started slowly in response and never looked like getting the runs to attain maximum points.
Their top order batted steadily and all scored 20-plus. However, some controversial umpiring decisions and dropped catches resulted in Runcorn only managing to get a winning draw.
Hale Barns closed their innings on 153-7 off their 45 overs.
The best Runcorn bowlers were Colin Lloyd and Andrew Scowcroft who both bagged a couple of wickets.
Runcorn’s third team’s T20 game with New Brighton fell foul of the poor weather on Sunday morning and had to be cancelled, as did the U13s’ game against Neston and the U15’ clash at Sandbach.
This Saturday sees Runcorn’s first XI play host to Christleton at Moughland Lane. The game starts at 1pm.
On the same afternoon – also commencing at 1pm – Runcorn’s seconds visit their counterparts at Woodford.
On Sunday, the third XI visit Neston’s thirds (1pm) while the U13s go to Neston U13s (10am) and the U15s entertain Toft (10am). On Tuesday evening (6pm start) Runcorn U9s host Davenham. ● Runcorn’s junior section are running the ECB All Stars sessions this year – see the Runcorn Cricket Club Facebook page for more details. Junior training is on Monday nights starting at 6.30pm.