Barnton fall short of target in thriller
THE Green welcomed Barnton to Rhode Field on Saturday for a game rearranged for an 11.30am start to accommodate England’s game in the Euros.
Unfortunately because of early morning rain the start was delayed until 12.40pm with the game reduced to 30 overs per team to compensate for the time lost whilst the covers and sheets were removed.
What was to unfold was one of the best games of you could hope to watch, the wicket was almost white and rock hard and on winning the toss the Greens skipper elected to bat first opening the innings with himself and Paul Needham against Barnton’s opening attack of Cory Devanny and Matthew Appleton and it was the former who struck first having both Needham and Ben Littler out for ducks, 13-2.
New batsman Dylan Heginbotham came out all guns blazing and proceeded to take the bowling apart with Appleton bearing the brunt of it conceding 38 runs in just four overs, in just 16 overs the pair added 137 with some glorious shots as once again they could trust the bounce of the wicket and hit through the ball, no slogging just pure cricket shots played along the ground.
Heginbotham was first to fall when he was deceived by a slower ball from James Cross and bowled for an awesome 70 of just 47 balls,150-3, with what was to unfold perhaps Cross might regret taking the wicket.
Jordan Henderson was next to the crease and in his own inimitable style tore the Barnton attack apart in an innings that comprised of six fours and six maximums and in partnership with Hampson added 112 in just eight overs and almost unnoticed in the mayhem the skipper, Hampson reached a well deserved ton in just 88 balls, the innings closed on 262-3 from 30 overs with Hampson 115 from 97 balls and Henderson on 73 from just 28 balls and the Barnton bowlers with figures they will not want advertising.
The visitors response was led by Ben Wingfield and Ben Tranter against the Greens usual attack of Jack Needham and Dylan Heginbotham and both batsmen treated the bowling with respect whilst still punishing any loose deliveries. Tranter was first to fall when he was caught by Dylan Heginbotham for 20, 44-1. Callum Doyle was next to the crease and posted his intention of not going down without a fight as he ht a series of boundaries and maximums and took the score to 99 when Wingfield was bowled by Ridings.
Cory Devanny was next to the crease and showed his intent from ball one and the following 10 overs were akin to the last 10 of the Greens innings when no bowler came out unscathed. Fortunately for the Green Jordan Henderson dismissed Cory Devanny for 60 in 30 balls, 215-3, when he was in full flow and the result was definitely in the balance.
The innings finally closed on 240-3 with
Doyle finishing on a magnificent 112 not out from just 57 balls.
A magnificent game of cricket played in a great spirit, 500 runs in just 60 overs.
The Green are away to Cheadle Hulme next week in a must win game wickets pitched 1pm.
On Saturday the Greens 2ndXI continued their winning streak at Cheadle Hulme when they restricted the opposition to 170 and knocked them off for 7 wickets with youngster Jake Skelton the main protagonist with 75.