GARGOYLES BREAK THE CURSE OF OSMASTON

Another record score, tight bowling and a determination to win gave Alstonefield St. Peter’s Cricket Club their first ever victory over Osmaston on Sunday. Put into bat on a hard and true wicket, the Gargoyles got off to a fast start with John Salt relishing the chance to plunder, as he made his first unbeaten 50 for the club. He and Neil Shotton put on a rapid 28 runs for the first wicket and then 63 with the galvanised Robert Flower who made 23. Phil Bagshaw contributed a scratchy 20 before skying one to the keeper and at the half way mark the Gargoyles were 112 for 3. Dave Singleton again demonstrated why he is in the running for the most improved player of the season with a cultured 34 and then Ian McKay with an unbeaten 50, ably supported by Rob Handscombe with 12 and Mikey Allen with 13 not out, took 76 runs off the last 10 overs. 245 for 8 from 35 overs, meant a confident tea was taken.

The opening attack of Mikey Allen and Sunil Angris set exactly the right tone, restricting the Osmaston batsmen to less than 4 an over. With the pressure to score mounting, John Salt and Phil Bagshaw then ripped into the top order. John Salt in particular, bowled with guile and claimed 3 wickets for only 13 runs from his 7 overs, earning him yet another Man of the Match accolade. A gritty 30 from Osmaston skipper Adam Brewell before he was brilliantly run out by an Angris/Siddons combination, saw the reply get past the 100 mark, but at the end of their 35 overs, Osmaston could only muster 117 for 6 wickets.

Victory by 128 runs sets a new standard for the Gargoyles as they approach the final two games of the season, beginning this coming Sunday with the visit of St. Anselms, no doubt seeking revenge for their heavy defeat at the start of the season.