Runcorn go so close to Weaving first win
RUNCORN Cricket Club’s first XI continue to struggle in the Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two.
Last Saturday they visited fellow strugglers Weaverham hoping to get some much needed points out of the game.
With the pitch looking like it had a lot of runs in it, Weaverham batted first. Runcorn’s opening bowlers Shaun Lewitt and Dan Booth soon got the breakthrough and things were looking promising when Weaverham found themselves two wickets down with only 26 on the board.
Salman Hanif came in at No.3 and proceeded to steady the ship and take the game away from Runcorn.
The next wicket fell with the score on 81 then another came five runs later.
Runcorn began to feel they were back in the game, but with good performances by Hanif (63) and both Ian Heaton and James Bell who each made 26, Weaverham finished on 185-8 off their 50 overs.
Booth’s return of 4-42 from his 10 overs highlighted the Runcorn attack.
Runcorn’s reply began well with skipper James Wells and Jack Beech opening the batting.
The first wicket fell at 31 before five more followed for just 34 more runs.
With another defeat staring them in the face it was going to need a great performance by the tail-enders.
David McNamara came in and looked in great form scoring quickly, backed up by first Sam Rowland then Matty Tyrrell.
But when he top-edged a return to Zulqarnain Aslam for a caught-andbowled it again looked like the end would be swift.
So with McNamara gone for 29 it was left up to youngsters Tyrrell and Jake Woodruff. ●
With Tyrrell steadfast at one end and Woodruff scoring steadily at the other it looked like Runcorn were going to salvage at least a draw and perhaps even a win.
But after putting on a stand of 55, Tyrrell was run out by Josh Adamson going for one that really was not there.
The last Runcorn batsman in was Phil Conway. Hopes were still high as Conway has been known to score runs, but the great comeback was not to be and Woodruff was given out lbw trying to sweep a delivery from Stuart Hayes for 28.
Runcorn finished 28 runs short but can take pride in the way the tail-enders got them back into it.
In contrast to the first-team game, the seconds’ clash with their counterparts from Weaverham was a little more straightforward.
Runcorn lost the toss and Weaverham put them into bat.
Despite losing a wicket with just one run on the board – Liam Keenan was caught-and-bowled by Jonny Littler – Runcorn soon took a grip of the game.
Mike Bowen is in fine form and the team put on 100 runs for the next wicket.
Bowen eventually departed for an excellent 99 while other notable contributions came from Tom Drury (35) and Andy Scowcroft (34) plus a more than handy 16 apiece from Steve Foster and Tom Heath to put Runcorn in a great position finishing on 228-7.
In reply, Weaverham could not really get into the game and four wickets from Matty Drury and three from Scowcroft and a couple from Heath plus one from Colin Lloyd ensured Runcorn won the game easily as Weaverham were skittled out for just 85 inside 44 overs.
On Sunday, Runcorn’s third XI travelled to New Brighton with a side combining youth and experience.
New Brighton themselves had a young side also.
A young Tom Anders who plays for one of Cheshire’s youth sides was the standout performer for New Brighton, making exactly 100 before being caught by Runcorn’s Ryan Richardson off Rhys Bazley.
New Brighton were all out for 197 with Bazley and Tom Heath each snapping up three wickets.
Runcorn had the worst start possible when Tom Drury left the very first ball of the innings and watched it clip the top of his off stump.
But they recovered in fine style with Matt Keenan going on to score an unbeaten 110 and Mike Jenner just missing out on a half-century when he departed for 47.
It was left to Keenan to hit a four to win the match as Runcorn reached 201-4 to triumph by six wickets.
This Saturday, Runcorn’s first XI are at home against Tattenhall while the seconds travel to local rivals Lymm. Both games start at 1pm.
On Sunday afternoon the third-team are at home to Caldy. That game starts at 2pm.