Gresford Under 11's Vs Malpas

Gresford Vs Malpas.

Surprisingly this was the first away game for the Gresford Army, and where better to start than Malpas. England Vs Wales.

After a picturess journey through the English countryside Gresford arrived ready to get to work. As the away team Gresford were to bat first. The boys padded up ready to make a positive impact on the scoreboard. 

First into the frame C. Millington and O.Ghattas. An unfamiliar surface for the openers and the majority of the team, a grass wicket. Oscar and Callum set about here business. First to face Mr Ghattas, a hesitant start as to be expected watching the bounce of the ball on a slow pitch. Grounded the pair grew in confidence. Calum played a text book innings protecting his stumps, and playing the ball into the outfield scoring quick easy runs. Oscar boosted the score connecting twice placing the ball over the boundary line for 4. Opening partnership out of the way 4 overs 22 runs without the loss of a single wicket, the innings was set up for the Gresford team to build upon.

Next out to the middle O.Draco and F.Thomson. Fin took up the mantle of facing first, finding his feet straight away scoring a run off his first ball. This was followed by two power shots the senior players would have been impressed with crashing over the boundary line to add another 8 to his running total. Oliver followed Fins lead, growing in confidence as he kept out some aggressive bowling from the hosts by using his height well to play the ball into the ground to avoid catches. Another 4 overs down the lead grew to 48 with the loss of 2 wickets.

I.Brockhurst and L.Tansley were the 3rd pair to face some formidable bowling. Iestyn was able to drive the ball away from his stumps keeping the wickets at bay, playing a great support role in the middle part of the innigs. Lewis was able to accelerate the runs further finishing in the double figures on 12 runs. The main weapon at his disposal for this innings his pull shot, keeping the ball low scattering the Malpas fielders. 4 more. The addition of J.Kershaw to the 2nd and 3rd innings added an extra 5 runs to the partnerships, playing a difficult role having his 4 overs spilt. Jake dotted quick singles throughout his innings to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

12 overs down 63 with the loss of 4 wickets was now the new total.

Gresford still had one last bat to swing. H.Mahoney and M.Hunter assisted the teams need for runs further. H.Mahoney starting the innings on a positive note, hitting a 6 and a 4 in his first over. Harry continued to bat in this destructive style finishing on 25 runs with the addition of 3 more fours. M.Hunter also answered the cries from the boundary for some quick runs, adding 10 runs onto the partnership. Matty mastered his or side glance and used his most potent asset once again speed to help the pair in there quest for success. 16 overs down 102 for 4 the total. Leading to a score of 284 for Malpas to chase.

After a brief interval and some cake and some more cake and some more ...... The boys looked a little full, a quick warm up soon got rid of the tired looking faces.

We were of again. Opening the bowling F.Thomson, Fins smooth action allowed the ball to glide into the stumps taking two fantastic wickets in his first over what a start. His second over was nice and tight aswell, showing that all his hard work in training is paying off. 

Second to bowl L.Tansley, pressure was on after such a good start. Lewis rose to the occasion adding yet another wicket to the tally. Keeping his bowling close to the stumps giving himself every opportunity to strike.

O.Ghattas was handed the ball next to start chipping away further, and he did just that swinging the ball into the bat with real zip Oscar was able to bypass the Malpas player and destroy his stumps.

I.Brockhurst changed the bowling approach cleverly taking the pace off the ball, piling the pressure back on the batsmen bowling dot ball after dot ball. Line and length was good which reflected in his bowling stats.

O.Draco was warmed up and ready for his turn with the ball, first over started off well good pace bowling homing in on those stumps. Then boom Oliver was rewarded 2 wickets in 2 balls what an over. His second over came close to the stumps once again showing great bowling skills.

M.Hunter was next on the bowling list, after deciding to stick with pace Matty grew in confidence every ball getting tighter to the stumps. Then came his reward a sharp ball clattering into the stumps.

C.Millington carried on the bowling accuracy, seeking out the stumps again and again. Calum again used his cricketing brain to take the pace off the ball to make the Malpas batsmen work for there runs.

Last but my least H.Mahoney taking a different approach off spin, and it worked a dream wicket in his first over. The batsmen struggled to get to the pitch of the ball time and time again as Harry's second over kept the runs down.

J.Kershaw deserves a special mention behind the stumps putting his body in the way of the ball time and time again. Showing what Gresford CC is all about lots of effort and hard work. Well done Jake.

The end of the innings came, Malpas finhsed on 276 after taking away the 8 wickets taken by GCC. Determination came through as Gresford continued to fight until the end and were rewarded with a well deserved victory.

Player of the match.

O.Ghattas opened the batting in style putting Gresford on the front foot, and continued his good game in the field and with the ball bowling tight lines and being rewarded with a wicket. Well done.