Losing toss proves pivotal

THE Green travelled the relatively short distance to Ashley where on winning the toss the host’s skipper elected to bat and given the overnight this was probably the right decision looking at a very green wicket although the first wicket had nothing to do with the bowlers.

The Green opened their innings with Josh Hampson and Jack Needham facing the opening attack of Imran Butt and Chris Hatchett.

Hampson was the first to fall run out for 5, 10-1.

Needham was joined by Elliot Young but the former fell for just 11 a few balls later getting a leading edge to a ball from Butt and was caught at mid on, 23-2.

Next to the wicket was Ben Littler and next to fall. After giving the spectators a brief view of his capabilities he was also caught off the first change bowler Khan for 12, 72-3.

New batsman Dylan Heginbotham became the fourth batsman to fall caught this time off the bowling Shar for 7,91-4.

Through this R Elliot looked comfortable and totally at home with the wicket and bowling and the highlight of his innings were the lofted off and on drives.

Sam Messih and Jason Downey both fell cheaply, 3 and 2 respectively, Young eventually fell caught off the bowling of Atkia for an excellent 55. The innings finally closed on 152 with an entertaining 25 not out from Brad Holmes.

The host were unusually ebullient almost as if it was a given that they would surpass this total but Jack Needham, the Greens’ opening bowler had a different outcome in mind. He had two wickets in his first over to two excellent catches by Jordan Henderson and Mark Richards and at 46-7 Ashley looked dead and buried but a fight back by Atkia and Khan took their total to 119 all with a maximum 25-point haul.

The pick of the Green bowlers were Jack Needham 12 overs 5-24 and Jason Downey 13 overs 3-21.

On the Saturday the Greens 2nd XI had a comfortable victory with veteran Craig Young top scoring with 84 and starring with the ball with 4-16. Next week the first team are at home to Barrow wickets pitched 12.