Early losses but New Vics draw
ON Saturday New Vic first Xl drew with Birkenhead St Mary’s at Birkenhead Park.
St Mary’s elected to bat and built their innings gradually without any chances. Jamie Bray (9 overs - 2 maidens - 24 runs - 1 wicket) and Keiron Rigby (7 overs - 2 maidens - 16 runs - 1 wicket) eventually got rid of the openers but it was St. Mary’s skipper Bryan (72 not out) who was the mainstay of their innings with support from the middle-order.
Eventually a variety of New Vic bowlers worked their way through the middle order and St Mary’s closed on 185 for 8 off 50 overs.
Batting second, New Vic lost three early wickets with only skipper Barry Mills (39) making an impression with the bat. With frequent loss of wickets it soon became apparent that New Vic were never going to challenge the St Mary’s total.
From then on it became a classic rearguard action to prevent St Mary’s winning.
At the end Alex Rigby kept a straight bat to foil the St Mary’s attack and, with Owen Jamieson, saw out time and achieved the draw.
New Vic finished on 95 for 8. New Vic took 5 points from the match.
There was a better outcome at Rufford Road where New Vic seconds achieved another win, this time against Mossley Hill seconds. After losing two wickets in the first three overs, batting first New Vic had Andy Addison (52 in 4 4s) to thank for some stability as his innings lasted from the third until the 45th over. He was aided by Josh King (54 inc 12 4s) and eventually New Vic closed on 177 for 9 declared in 49.1 overs.
Mossley Hill could not match the New Vic total, although Chris Topping (46) and A.N.Other (42) resisted. Curtis Rigby (6 overs - 0 maidens - 20 runs - 2 wickets) and Josh King (5 overs - 1 maiden - 17 runs - 4 wickets) were the main wicket takers, with two catches from Andy Addison.
Eventually Mossley Hill were all out for 106.
New Vic won by 71 runs and are now in second place in Division three just 15 points behind leaders Dalton with just two games remaining.
Next Saturday New Vic 1st’s play Halsall West End at Rufford Road, whilst the 2nds visit Newburgh 2nds in a vital promotion game. Both 1.30 pm starts.