Stockport just miss out in thriller

STOCKPORT were involved in yet another nail-biter at local rivals Bollington.

The match was affected by the weather from the onset, and the game was reduced to 60 overs.

It was Stockport who took the early break as they removed Kiwi Price Moor for 11, bowled by Mallie and caught by Horsfield in the slips.

Almost immediately after it was Jahangir’s turn to get a piece of the action, who removed Facer, caught behind by Paterson for one run.

Bollington were giving themselves a great chance of victory as Jahangir (2-51) removed his second of the afternoon after a great catch from Henshall in the slips.

Stockport then started to control proceedings. George and Danny Barber passed a 50-run partnership, seeing the scores increase at a more competitive rate at 86-3 from 20 overs.

Midway through the innings the breakthrough arrived, as Stockport lost the wicket of opener Barber for 42. This was off the bowling of Horsfield after a catch from Barrass.

With only 35 overs left in the match, Bollington required quick wickets, and that’s exactly what Stuart Plant did.

Plant’s first wicket came in his first over as he bowled Barber for 36. His next wicket came soon after with Dunley going for one.

Plant’s third wicket came following a magnificent catch from Peter Henshall and Plant’s fourth of the afternoon came in his sixth over as batsman Eley guided the ball to Horsfield for just four. This left the scores at 108-8 after 34 overs.

Stockport’s ninth wicket fell to Mallie, who bowled Edwards for 11.

Plant’s fifth and Bollington’s final wicket came after yet another catch from Henshall to leave Plant with figures of five wickets for just seven runs and six maidens from his eight overs.

Bollington had to chase 127 in just 21 overs, but they took a blow loosing opener Barrass for a duck.

Requiring more than six runs an over, Mallie and Hough stepped up the chase. As the innings passed the half-way mark, Bollington found themselves slightly behind the required run rate at 50-1.

Then disaster struck as Hough was stumped on 28, but Mallie was still causing problems with an array of boundaries.

With Bollington still requiring 70 runs to win off the final eight overs, they needed some big hitting, and that’s exactly what Hafiz Imran attempted, but he went for one shot too many and was bowled for five.

The next batsman at the crease was Jahangir who hit 24 from just 11 balls.

With 50 needed of the last five overs, Jahangir was caught on the boundary.

Horsfield was next to join Mallie. With boundaries needed, Mallie found himself caught behind the stumps.

They lost the wicket of Dawson in the final few overs.

At the start of the final over Bollington required 16 to win. Horsfield was on strike and hit a four off the first ball, and the following three balls saw them scamper six runs, leaving them with six needed off the final two balls. Horsfield then hit a six to win the game.