Runcorn’s early woes continue at Northwich
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RUNCORN Cricket Club’s first XI were unable to arrest their poor start to the season as they went down to another defeat, this time at the hands of local rivals Northwich.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat.
On a warm day, the Runcorn bowlers worked very hard to keep Northwich down to just 164-9 off their allotted 50 overs.
The pick of the Northwich batsman were opener Glinoj Cherian who made 47 and skipper James Plant who added 31.
Matty Drury shone for Runcorn with the ball returning figures of 5-38 from his 12 overs of work.
In reply, Runcorn started fairly well, Jack Beech opening with Shaun Lewitt.
Lewitt was scoring freely before being caught by Jordan McDonough off the bowling of James Gittings for 21.
Unfortunately for Runcorn that was the end of the decent scoring and they collapsed all out for just 86 inside 29 overs.
Runcorn’s second-team entertained Oakmere at Moughland Lane, again on a warm day.
Runcorn won the toss and decided to field. Runcorn’s Tom Heath and Colin Lloyd bowled very tightly and restricted the openers in the early overs.
Oakmere’s middle order batsman of Mike Dodd and Rob Edge moved the score along and both finished on 27. Nobody else really troubled the scorers and Oakmere finished on 128 all out.
Impressing for Runcorn’s attack were Heath (1-21 from 11 overs and five maidens) and Lloyd (1-11 from eight overs and four maidens).
Young Tom Drury picked up a couple of wickets and veteran Andy Scowcroftclaimed 3-24.
Runcorn started well in response with the opening four batsman putting on in excess of 50 runs.
With victory looking to be well within their reach a middle order collapse left them in trouble, and they were all out 11 runs short of the required total.
On the Sunday, Runcorn’s third XI bucked the trend of poor results with a victory over Tattenhall.
The thirds also enjoyed an excellent T20 triumph over Caldy on Bank Holiday Monday.
The first-team will attempt to finally get on the winning trail on Saturday – but their task will be a very tough one as they play host to the early pacesetters Alvanley who have won all three of their matches thus far. The game at Moughland Lane starts at 1pm.
On the same afternoon, the seconds visit their counterparts from Middlewich while on Sunday afternoon, Runcorn’s third XI entertain Alvanley’s thirds.