Needham rips into strugglers Barnton
PRESENTLY bottom of the league Barnton travelled to Hawk Green, who were desperate to put their challenge for promotion back on track following two defeats in three games.
Barnton skipper, James Hodgkinson, won the toss and elected to bat first with Mike Cross and Matthew Morley opening the innings against the Greens opening attack of Jack Needham and Ryan Stringer, playing in his first game since his recent signing.
Needham struck first when he trapped Cross lbw after only four balls, 0-1.
New batsman Joel Cross dug in and managed to punish the odd few bad balls he and partner Morley received before Morley became Needham’s second victim to an excellent caught behind by youngster Jake Skelton for 14, 25-2.
Skipper Hodgkinson joined Cross at the crease and at this time Needham, growing in stature, started to cause major problems for both batsmen.
Joel Cross, who had endured a torrid time facing the rejuvenated Needham,
was eventually put out of his misery when he was comprehensively bowled by his nemesis for 21, 45-3.
Hodgkinson followed just four runs later when he was caught and bowled Needham, 50-4.
New batsman Alex Jeffs became his team’s fifth wicket to fall and also became Needham’s fifth victim to a smart catch by Dylan Heginbotham, 54-5.
Nathan Lang lasted just one ball as he was bowled neck and crop by Needham, 54-6. After six excellent overs Stringer was replaced by Brad Holme who had immediate success as he removed Matty Perks, caught Ryan Stringer, for a duck, 54-7.
Sean Morley and Vikas Rahar took the score to 64 when Needham bowled the former for the fourth duck of the visitors innings, 62-.
Rahar was next to fall, bowled by Holme for 4, 62-9, and the innings was eventually wrapped up as Needham claimed his eighth victim when he bowled Derek Bowyer for 2, 64 all out.
Jack Needham closed with the brilliant figures of 11.4 overs 8-28, a much deserved return, backed by Brad Holme with 2-22.
After a short rain delay the Greens response was led by skipper Josh Hampson and veteran Craig Young – just happy not to be the oldest in the team! – facing the Barnton attack of Matty Perks and Derek Bowyer.
Both batsmen appeared very comfortable at the crease and punished any loose bowling from the outset, with five fours apiece and one maximum from Young the score raced to 62 before both fell to change bowler Nathan Lang, Hampson, 23, and Young, 29.
With a four off the third ball he received, Ben Littler closed the run chase for a comprehensive victory.
Match ball Sponsors were Gary and Janet Riding in memory of Roy and Kath.
The Greens 2nd XI had a comfortable victory against Heaton Mersey Village, setting a target of 211 led by Tom Headridge with 61, Tom Chetwyn 41, Ollie Whisker 28 and Stuart Bisson Foster 20, the hosts response was 156 with Josh Nield, 4-32, the most successful bowler.
Next week the 1st XI are away at Oakmere wickets pitched 12.