GARGOYLES WINNERS IN DIGITAL AGE
The old adage that catches win matches was never more aptly demonstrated than on Sunday, when Alstonefield Cricket Club took 7 of the very best to take the heart out of a strong Oakamoor batting line up and give themselves a reachable target. It is also an unfortunate fact that cricket balls are hard and fingers in the wrong place mean dropped chances and broken bones.
In front of the biggest crowd of the season, the Gargoyles got off to a flying start when Ben King bowled Oakamoor’s Fallows with his very first ball and then had the dangerous looking
Bond well caught by Andy Bray in his 3rd over. Will Siddons found the opener’s edge and Ian McKay took a sharp chance in the gulley. Ben King’s pace was rushing the batsmen and having spilled another sharp chance, Ian McKay produced a salmon like leap to snare a full bodied cut in the gulley, for King’s 3rdwicket. The experienced Sutton was carefully holding the innings together, but with Andy Bray, who bowled his 7 overs for only 10 runs, applying the pressure of line and length, the scoring rate was reduced to less than 4 per over with 12 overs left. There was the inevitable end of innings aggression, but all the Gargoyles’ bowlers kept their discipline and difficult catches were held. Will Siddons and
Simon Smith led the way with 4 catches. Dave Singleton induced two skiers that were brilliantly taken, dropped a caught and bowled chance and broke his middle finger for his trouble. Oakamoor 144 for 8 off 35 overs.
The Gargoyles have been used to steady starts recently, but this time, Andy Bray toe ended one to square leg and then Will Siddons, promoted to number 3 for his last match before heading off to study Chinese philosophy in Hong Kong, won the award for the worst shot of the season and was bowled. 4 for 2 and 144 was looking bigger. Once again, captain Simon Smith led by example with the bat. Refusing to be tied down, he and
Harry Jones kept the scoreboard ticking over, not once dropping behind the asking rate and the skipper plundered 5 consecutive boundaries on his way to his rapid 29. Dave Singleton, pre his hospital visit, was equally positive for his 14. Meanwhile Harry Jones was making serene progress to his second consecutive 50 not out. It really is worth a visit to the ground just to watch his effortless timing and run a ball placement. There were no mid innings crises and Ian McKay with 17no and Ben King with 9no, saw to it that the Gargoyles won by 5 wickets with 7 overs to spare.