Crazies hold their nerve to see off Hurley fightback
With thunderstorms threatening to disrupt play, both captains agreed to play a 35over match, which Crazies Hill & Cockpole Green ended up winning by just 15 runs.
Mo Basharat won the toss and inserted the visitors, who got off to a terrible start, collapsing to 16-4 inside four overs.
But Hurley weren’t able to build on that promising start as Charles Montgomery (46) and Olly Tett (41) helped the visitors to 134-6 from 23 overs. A triple wicket maiden for Nigel Haines put the brakes on their progress and Liam Cole wrapped up the innings in the next over without further addition to the score.
However, Crazies’ opening attack of Montgomery and Tett proved difficult for Hurley’s batsmen to deal with. Only 15 runs were added for the first wicket before Mike Cole (9) edged to the keeper, and the normally free flowing Shoaib Kayani was frustrated to score 12 from 43 balls. Margrie tore through the middle order as Hurley were reduced to 51-4 from 19 overs, before Cole (4) and
Dave Simoes got the score up to 78-5.
Simoes (50) and Brittain (18no) looked to increase the run rate but were unable to get their side into a winning position. Simoes departed in the 33rd over, caught behind off Burnage, and although Brittain and Zaman did their best, the bowlers held their nerve to see Crazies home by 15 runs.
Hurley’s 2nd team returned to winning ways with a virtually flawless display of bowling and fielding go set up a comprehensive 10 wicket win over Phoenix Old Boys. Joban Singh led the way for Hurley, taking 5-22 as Phoenix were bowled out for just 53 in 22.1 overs.
Despite some excitable
LBW appeals by the Phoenix bowlers Kelvin Baillie (28no) and Clive Williams (22no) knocked off the required runs in nine overs without any alarm.