GARGOYLES SEND TOURISTS PACKING

Alstonefield Cricket Club gained revenge for last year’s defeat with a convincing five wicket victory over the Pitts-Tucker Touring XI on Sunday, thanks to a marvellous all round performance by Amrit Singh, playing in his first home match for the club. The tourists were put into bat in overcast conditions and opener Saul in particular made good progress against the Gargoyles’ attack, before eventually falling to John Salt for 49. The heart of the tourists’ batting was then demolished by a superb spell of seam bowling by Amrit Singh, who in six overs, took four wickets for 8 runs. Some lusty blows from Toby Pitts -Tucker late on, gave the tourists a semblance of a target to defend of 113 all out.

The Gargoyles’ response started badly. Henry Richards, bowling with pace and skill, removed opener Robert Flower for a duck and then danger man Phil Bagshaw with an unplayable delivery. Dave Singleton, opening for the first time, continued to look in prime form, before holing out to deep mid on for 15. At the other end, Amrit Singh was warming up with some delightful straight driving and with only twelve overs gone the Gargoyles’ were half way to their target. Five overs later and the match was won, with Amrit Singh on 53 not out, including 40 in boundaries and Mikey Allen elegantly cover driving the winning runs. Victory by 5 wickets.