| Match Report |
Gresford Vs Chirk
Monday evening soon comes around for the much anticipated Gresford under 11s title chase.
This weeks challengers Chirk CC. The second away game on the bounce saw Gresford playing at another unknown venue.
As the visitors GCC were straight into their rythem, all 8 padding up in sync ready to bat.
This week's opening pair L.Tansley and D.Renouf. The boys had the hardest job of the day starting off an innings against Chirks opening bowlers. Lewis and Dylan both answered the call after a slow start. Bat on ball saw the duo rack up 11 runs from 4 overs. Dylan using his feet dancing around his crease, disrupting the balls path and Lewis taking an alternate approach, flat batting the ball with a crack into the outfield whenever the opportunity presented itself.
The steady start allowed O.Ghattas and L.Pold to find their feet for the first few balls. But it wasn't long before the runs started to pour in, 14 of them to be precise. Oscar and Lucas ran well between the wickets siezing upon every chance to gain runs for the team. Lucas eyed up the bad ball time and time again driving and pulling the ball away from his stumps, Oscar took the same approach preferring the quick singles to risking it all for an aggressive slog.
The innings was being built up nicely, and was about to increase further, que F.Thomas and L.Roberts batting masterclass. After a wise decision to play themselves in, the pair roled up their sleeves putting there bats to good use. Fin was the first to strike a blow in Chirk' s bowling figures, hitting the first 4 of the game, he wasn't finished there though as he produced shot after shot clearing the boudary line 4 times with an impressive four four's. Lewis responded to the positive batting with some shots of his own. 15 runs to his name, including 3 perfectly timed leg side glances flying over the boundary line.
The total was increased to 260, which set the innings up for a last ditch attempt to add a cherry to the cake. Enter H.Mahoney and M.Hunter, Harry added 21 runs of his own to the batting total. Showing a different side to his batting skills this evening, with only two fours, splitting the field and running hard was a well used option. Allowing the runs to keep ticking over and the wickets to stay at bay. Matty seemed to be on the same wave length as well. Driving the ball with precision and sprinting for the quick single, always looking to see if there was a 2 on the cards and often taking the second run.
16 overs completed 3 wickets lost, total 305 runs take away the wickets that's 290. Gresford once again showing great maturity with the bat, playing shots when needed and blocking there stumps if required.
The attention soon turned to bowling. Gresford took to the field with M.Hunter staying in his padded attire to wicket keep for the evening.
First to take the honours of the new ball L. Roberts. Dot balls summed up a very good spell from Lewis, accuracy was on the menu for tonight's bowling as his two overs saw only 2 runs coming from the bat.
Lewis had set the standard for the bowling. D.Renouf took the new ball next. His smooth action ensured the special order of dot balls was continued, a well deserved wicket in his first over added to a superb bowling stint.
Gresford were bowling well and keeping the runs down to an all time low, fielding was tight and everyone was alert and ready. The pressure was on for the rest of the bowlers to deliver.
O.Ghattas took that responsibility next bowling 3 overs of pace, using his fast action to get the ball to skid past the batsmen time and time again, paying dividence on one occasion clipping the top of off stump. Keeping to Gresford's script of tight lines and lots of work for Matty behind the stumps.
The next spell added to Gresfords formidable start step into the frame F.Thomson. 3 overs 5 wickets. Wow! great way to end his night. Fivfer yes that is a term. Something all bowlers dream of and I only realised looking at the score cards later. Fins line, length and persistence at the stumps paid of time and time again, finishing up with the best bowling stats of season so far. Well done.
Following on from this was L.Pold. Lucas found his rythem with ease, ensuring that the ball went in one direction towards the wickets. He continued to improve his line and length into his second over and was rewarded with dot ball after dot ball.
The lime light landed on Mr L.Tansley next, height and wrist action were the main ingredients for this recipe. Lewis' tall action added power and speed to the ball as it bounced up at the batsman. The tactic of back of the hand bowling was well received as he totted up 2 wickets for his collection.
H.Mahoney had a decision to make pace or spin? Big question which would be answered in due course. Over 1 no extras 2 from the bat, good start spinning the ball with perfect flight. Over number 2 saw Harry rewarded with a nicely bowled wicket. Topping off Gresfords efforts for the evening.
266 the score posted by Chirk with the loss of 12 wickets putting the home teams total down to 206. Wicket record for the season from the Gresford boys 12 wickets!. Well done to all who played another extremely positive match result.
Player of the match-
Unsung player behind the stumps often forgotten due the the glory of bowling, but M.Hunter stopped the ball time and time again making sure that byes were kept to a minimum. His partnership with Harry in bat also saw a strong finish to he Gresford batting innings. Well done.
|