Catch takes wind out of ‘Port’s sails
A QUITE remarkable game at the recreation ground saw Bollington take on a strong Stockport side looking for their second win of the season side, Bollington were looking to make it five wins from five and cement their place at the top of the table at this early stage in the season.
Stockport skipper Sam Edwards won the toss as elected to bowl first. Bollington captain Rick Hough was joined at the crease by Tom Barrass and the pair started well. Both batsmen were finding the boundary with ease early on in the innings, putting on 50 without loss and putting Bollington in a strong position.
A change of bowling in the Stockport attack struck with immediate effect removing Barrass for 29. The in-form Mallie joined Hough at the crease, and for the first time this season was removed for just 11.
Hafiz Imran was next to bat and he hit some big shots and carried Bollington to 130-2 and setting them up in a strong position.
Hough continued his excellence after drinks, hitting some fabulous strokes to set Bollington in a stong position before a rejuvenated Stockport bowling attack tore through the Bollington middle order removing Imran for 26, Hough for 67 and Kirton without scoring.
Stockport were now looking in an encouraging position before Patterson (20) and Horsfield (22) put on 45 for the sixth wicket and ensuring Bollington had a feasible total to bowl at.
A late cameo performance from the great Aldo Palazzo (20) saw Stockport’s required total reach a formidable 235.
Bollington started well, with Mallie removing Stockport opener, Barber for seven. An outstanding partnership of 95 between New Zealand’s Roscoe Moor and Tom Facer set Stockport in good stead of reaching the total. Stockport looked domineering in the run chase, before an outstanding piece of fielding from Imran and wicketkeeper Patterson ran Facer out for 52 which revived the morale among the fielding side and seemed to give the bowlers a new lease of life.
Stockport were still batting well, with wickets in hand and the middle order batsmen keeping them up with the run rate with 10 overs to go.
A tormenting Moor was almost certainly going to take Stockport to the end, taking them clear of the 200 mark for the loss of just five wickets.
Bollington were fighting to the save the game with some tight bowling from Plant (2-42) and Horsfield (1-18) towards the end. Still battling, Jahangir removed centurion Moor for 107 to leave the game right in the balance.
Stockport, still needing 29 from the remaining nine overs, with four wickets in hand, looked certain to win the game. That was until, off the bowling from Mallie, Patterson got down low to the leg side to take a remarkable one handed catch and leave Stockport stunned.
Minutes later Mallie, who ended with 4-72, removed two more to leave Bollington needing one wicket with two overs to go.
With the game still anyone’s to win Jahangir (2-36) bowled Dunley to win the game for Bollington by 17 runs and extend their lead at the top of the table.