Mohsin a big hit as Clifton post win
BOTH captain Josh Hewitt and vice-captain Craig Williamson were unavailable, so club chairman Stuart Blake took the reins as Clifton picked up their first win of the Derbyshire County League Division One season on Saturday.
After Blake got one thing right straightaway by winning the toss and choosing to bat away to Elvaston, Mohsin Ali led the way on the field with a sparkling 71 from 60 balls, with three sixes and eight fours.
The stage was set for him, though, by the father and son opening partnership of Stuart and Alex Blake, who put a solid 58 on the board for the first wicket.
Both were out at that score, Alex for 37, but after Harry Moore was out for 14, Ali and Will Wilson put on 122 for the fourth wicket.
Wilson went for 46 but a flurry at the end from Atta Ur Rehman, with 27 not out from 17 balls, carried Clifton on to a solid 258-8 from their 50 overs.
“We got off to a good start thanks to Alex’s positive and proactive batting,” said Stuart Blake.
“After Alex and I fell in quick succession, Will Wilson played a crucial role in solidifying the innings.
“Mohsin’s innings was the highlight with him batting with great maturity and excellent shot selection. Then Atta and Edd Wilson added 40 for the ninth wicket which enabled us to set a challenging target.
“In reply Elvaston got off to a quick start, but Harry got the key wicket of Jake Harrold and then Adam Leigh bowled an excellent spell which was economical and captured the wickets of Matthew Archer and Andrew Wells, Elvaston’s overseas player.
“Edd and Mohsin continued to restrict the run rate and pick up wickets before Harry’s superb second spell wrapped up the innings.”
Moore took 4-54 from 11.5 overs as Elvaston were bowled out for 189.
“Not only was it a morale-boosting win after the first two games but with key contributions from Mohsin, Alex, Harry, Adam and Paddy Welsh, who had a very tidy day keeping wicket, all of whom are
Pictured: Mohsin Ali, who top-scored with a well-judged 71 for Clifton as they recorded their first Division One win of the season.