Runcorn finally find a cure for travel sickness
RUNCORN 1st X1 finally got their first win of the season away to Christleton. James Wells’ team produced a fine all-round team performance to gain 25 much-needed points in what has been an otherwise disappointing season so far.
Runcorn batted first on what looked like a very good wicket. Things didn’t look great when opener Patrick Tyrrell went for just six runs leaving Runcorn on just 6-1, an all-too-familiar position this season.
The in-form Dan Booth came in at three and with skipper Wells looked to get the innings back on track.
This they did magnificently, with both batting superbly. Booth passed the 50 mark while Wells also seemed on course for a half century before he was caught by Joseph off the bowling of Gittins for 31.
The two Runcorn men had taken the score onto 93-2 and had given the team a solid foundation.
Ben Clissold chipped in with a useful 15. Then came the all-too-familiar mid-order collapse that has hampered Runcorn’s season as they went from 137-4 to 148-8.
Booth finished up scoring 70 before he was caught by Hassan off the bowling of Brearey.
Runcorn were staring at the prospect of another disappointing day when DJ McNamara came in at seven. McNamara knew he had to stay on strike and bat well if Runcorn were going to get anything out of the game.
Together with no 9 Shaun Lewitt they took the score on from 148-8 to a magnificent 199-9, putting on 51 for the ninth wicket.
When Lewitt finally went for 18 Tom Heath, who is not known for his batting, came at no 11.
McNamara again did a fine job of keeping the strike and helped add 43 runs for the final wicket.
McNamara was finally out for 61, caught off the penultimate ball of the innings, with Heath 11 not out and Runcorn on 242 off 49.5 overs.
With the wicket looking like a road, Runcorn’s bowlers knew they were going to be in for a long day in the ●