Tatt’ll do very nicely for Alvanley with win
AVISIT to Tattenhall with three seamers missing from the line-up did not faze Alvanley. In fact, on debut, Mike Roberts proved a more than capable replacement.
The seamer, who has waited patiently for many years for his chance, delivered with a terrific new ball spell, taking two wickets for 23 runs in 10 testing overs.
New ball partner Chris Charles bowled equally well but kept missing the edge – his figures were characteristically frugal though, yielding just 17 runs from his 10 overs of work.
After plenty of overs of seam, spinners Dave Shewring and Stephen Charles got the nod and both found great control straight away.
The pitch was decent enough to stay in on, but was proving difficult to score quickly on and occasional turn helped these spinners as they worked into their spells.
Muhammad Umer and Aamir Afzal took the score to 55 in 24 overs but the latter succumbed to Stephen Charles, well caught by Ian McDermott.
Shewring combined well with Jonathan Whitley at slip to remove Afzal and there followed a procession of wickets.
Only Waqar Hassan who made 18 showed any resistance as the two spinners bowled superbly, well backed up by a faultless fielding display.
At 99, Shewring delivered the grace and tea was taken.
Stephen Charles snapped up 4-26 while Shewring claimed 4-27.
Alvanley’s batsmen faced the accurate seam of Alan Brock and spin from Gary Forster and soon lost opener Stephen Charles to a ball that appeared to take forever to arrive. coup de ●
Michael Rowlands played some meaty shots and got to 22 quickly to take the game to the bowlers with four boundaries before being caught at cover by Afzal off Brock.
Forster bowled well, and after a stand taking the score to 59 between Simon Gee and Whitley, he persuaded the latter to become over-ambitious and he departed for 15.
When Gee was needlessly run out for an impeccable 31, Alvanley just needed to stay calm and work the ball around.
However, two wickets fell quickly and suddenly pads were being strapped on hurriedly. With 20 runs needed for victory, Andy Bennion and Sam Baxter played in a restrained, disciplined manner to take their team home with four wickets and 21 overs to spare as Alvanley reached a match-winning 102-6.