Runcorn finally draw comfort
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RUNCORN Cricket Club first XI captain James Wells was delighted last weekend as his side finally managed to avoid defeat for the first time this season.
Wells’s struggling side had lost nine successive league matches since making the step up to Divison Two of the Cheshire County Cricket League at the end of last season, but they fought hard to deny pacesetters Lindow on Saturday afternoon.
Lindow posted a giant total of 294-7 declared from 45 overs, with Grant Waldron amassing an undefeated 106 from 126 balls to help the hosts to an intimidating score. Opener Atiq Uz-Zaman also made 50 and Alex Matthews chipped in with 44.
Runcorn, however, failed to surrender and notched their biggest score of the season.
Coming in at number eight, allrounder David McNamara’s 73 from 64 balls late on rescued the innings from 88-6 before tailenders Matty Tyrrell and Shaun Lewitt held on for more than seven overs combined.
Tyrrell fell with just one ball remaining, but number 11 Tom Heath blocked out that final delivery to secure a dramatic draw and eight more-than-welcome points for Wells’s outfit.
“We knew it would be a tough game and we arrived to a green wicket with a lot of grass left on so I decided to bowl first and try to take control of the game,” Wells said afterwards.
“We started well with Shaun Lewitt taking opener Rob Herriot for eight but their batsmen pushed on before DJ McNamara took their other opener, Atiq UzZaman, after he reached 50.
“We steadily took wickets but Grant Waldron went on to score 106 not out leaving them to declare on 294.”
The captain continued: “They have four paid players who took a couple of quick wickets after a positive start but with a great effort from DJ and Patrick Tyrrell (19) we registered our highest score of the season and put our first points on the board.
“Hopefully this is a turnaround for us now and we can push on to better results.”
Back at Moughland Lane, Runcorn’s second string had the best of a draw with their counterparts from Irby.
Put into bat after losing the coin toss, Runcorn rattled up 239-6 declared after 40 overs. A brilliant unbeaten 100 from Liam Keenan anchored their innings.
There were other notable contributions with the bat from Sam Rowland (49) and opener Mike Jenner (40).
In response, Irby’s batsmen were kept in check by some tight Runcorn bowling and they eventually closed their innings on 190-4.
Andrew Scowcroft’s return of 3-60 was the best of the Runcorn bowlers’ efforts.
On Saturday, Runcorn’s firstteam play host to Mobberley (1pm) while the seconds visit their counterparts from the same team (1pm).
Runcorn’s third XI return to action on Sunday afternoon when they play host to Chester Boughton Hall (2pm).