Baston HOME – Sunday 19th June 2011

FENMEN GET ALTITUDE SICKNESS AS GARGOYLES SEND THEM PACKING

After the weather had dampened the spirit of hospitality on Friday evening, Alstonefield Cricket Club continued their impressive form on Sunday, with a four wicket win against the men from Baston, Lincolnshire. Strenuous efforts from Peter Leason and the ground staff produced a wicket and outfield that made a nonsense of all the rain and showed once again the benefits of being 1000 feet above sea level on top of White Peak limestone.

Choosing to bat first, the tourists made a poor start, with Phil Bagshaw and Simon Smith removing the openers for just 13.  High class batting from Townsin, who made 70 and skipper Morris with 28, established a platform for a competitive total, taking the score to 138 for 4. The Gargoyles’ bowlers then tightened their grip in the last 12 overs, with Richard Allen, Amrit Singh and Simon Smith applying the pressure with nagging line and length. Phil Bagshaw led the way with 3 top order wickets, while captain (for this match only) Neil Shotton managed to buy two late wickets in only two overs, for the princely sum of 45 runs. 205 for 9 declared off 42 overs at tea.

First time opener Simon Smith is revelling in his meteoric climb up the order and made light of losing his opening partner Dave Singleton, putting on 63 for the second wicket with captain Shotton, before being joined by in form Phil Bagshaw. These two then added another 96 runs for the third wicket, before Smith was out for a career best 68 and Bagshaw close behind on 52.The Gargoyles were now only 29 runs from victory, with six wickets remaining. The all too familiar mini collapse followed, before father and son,  Andy and Will Siddons calmly steered the team home.

A full day’s play and a fine win against stout opponents.  Alstonefield won by 4 wickets.