GARGOYLES CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS

In front of a big crowd in a delightful setting, Alstonefield St. Peter’s Cricket Club pulled off an epic victory against a strong Oakamoor XI on Sunday. On a hard and true wicket the experienced Oakamoor openers made a confident start, racing to 54 for the first wicket, courtesy of a superb one handed catch by Alan Hayes.  Phil Bagshaw and Mark Wright both started to exert pressure and were rewarded with two wickets each. The two under 15 bowlers in the Gargoyles’ attack, Mikey Allen and Kit McDonald were not overawed and did more than keep the batsmen honest. At the crucial stage of the Oakamoor innings, superbly intelligent bowling by John Salt secured three wickets, setting a total of 163 for 8 wickets off 30 overs. 164 to win at 5.5 an over.

The Gargoyles responded in emphatic style, Robert Flower with 39 and Neil Shotton with 31 making a record breaking opening stand of 64. Man of the match Phil Bagshaw then came to the wicket and simply blew the Oakamoor bowling away, making 48 quickfire runs to put the Gargoyles in with a chance. Needing 15 off the last two overs, Mark Wright calmly placed the ball into space, before driving the winning runs straight past the bowler. I65 for 5 wickets and a 5 wicket win. An excellent start to the second half of the season.