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Beckwithshaw v Burton Leonard

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After a rather miserable day, weather wise, which had threatened to put paid to this game, the sun came out with a vengeance and dried out the pitch nicely. This meant that our game with Burton Leonard could go ahead – much to the relief of both team managers. Matthew Ball lost the toss and Burton Leonard decided to field first. Some accurate bowling from Burton Leonard’s opening pair Charlie and Nick meant that the Beckwithsaw batsmen Guy Kitching and James Imrie found it tough going. We almost had a run out of the first ball of the game (umpire Gordon possibly a tad generous to his opponents) which was perhaps a rather ominous sign. However it wasn’t long before wickets started to tumble restricting the Beckwithshaw scoring. In between James did, however, hit two good boundaries as he top-scored with 10 runs. The next pair of Rob Green and Finlay Bailey-Hague both hit a four each and managed to get the score back above the starting 200 but an over-ambitious attempt at a quick single resulted in a run out and meant that even when we looked to be making a little progress we were still losing runs. Gabriel Rhodes and debutant Elliott Mountain were next in and accumulated a few runs between them. Gabriel in particular batted really sensibly, mixing good defensive shots to straight balls with nicely timed pull shots to balls that were drifting down the leg side. His innings of 9 runs was a great example for the other ‘Shaw batters to follow. The final pair of Tom Peakman and Matthew Ball came to the wicket with a lot of work to do with their side on just 208. Things didn’t start well, as yet another run out whilst trying to take a single to a shot hit straight to a fielder meant further deductions. Matthew Ball batted well and was unlucky to hit fielders with a number of great shots. Having played the quality bowling of Charlie very well his frustration got the better of him as he tried to cut a ball that was too close for that shot and we lost another wicket. Thus, the Beckwithshaw innings ended on a disappointing 205; a result of some good Burton Leonard bowling but aided by some dubious shot selection and kamikaze running between the wickets by the Beckwithshaw batters. In reply Liam and Harry wasted no time in showing the Beckwithshaw lads how it should be done with a partnership of 30 runs. Harry, in particular, hit some powerful boundaries in his 24 runs. Matthew struggled to find his line with his leg spin and Tom was unlucky to be hit for two fours off good balls but bowled accurately and with pace – well done Tom. Elliott and Gabriel then restricted the next Burton Leonard pair to just 4 runs. It was a good bowling effort from Elliott in his first game but the star bowler was Gabriel who bowled really accurately in bowling two maidens, a fantastic effort from a lad in only his second league game. Finlay and Rob also plugged away and managed to keep the scoring down in their four overs. However, Burton Leonard had another couple of batsmen up their sleeve and an excellent final partnership of 29 runs between Charlie and Xavi took the game well away from Beckwithshaw. Having being bowled by James with a straight delivery, which he tried to cut, Charlie proceeded to show what a good all-rounder he was with a nice array of strokes and an excellent cover drive (shot of the day) in the final over. James tried hard and was rewarded with the only Burton Leonard wicket to fall and Guy was unlucky not to pick up a wicket with some nice swing bowling. Burton Leonard finished on 271 to record an easy and well-deserved victory. Mention should be made of Matthew Ball’s captaincy. For the second game in a row he led his side admirably with constant encouragement, a never-say-die attitude and good attention to his field placings. A very mature exhibition of leadership for such a young man. All in all, a good, if slightly one-sided, match played in excellent spirit. Thanks to the Burton Leonard team managers for keeping things

Sent: Friday Jun 1 2012 11:57PM