YOUTHFUL GARGOYLES NOT QUITE STRONG ENOUGH

Facing a strong Osmaston XI, the Gargoyles just didn’t have enough firepower and lost by 5 wickets. Batting first on a beautiful afternoon, Alstonefield got off to a steady, if slow start, with debut boy Simon Smith showing some promise for the future. Wickets started to tumble and after 11 of their 30 overs a score of 32 for 4 was not promising. Dave Singleton then proceeded to play his best ever innings and with a mixture of lusty blows and delicate nudges made 35, sharing in a 50 run partnership with Ian McKay, who then received great support from Finlay Allen, who made 10, as they added another 29 runs. 136 for 8 was no more than a respectable total.

The Gargoyles’ inexperienced bowling line up got off to a superb start. Richard Allen (I for 13) and man of the match Mikey Allen (2 for 25) bowling with accuracy and movement, both claimed early wickets.  It wasn’t to last. Shaw and Hill both looked in ominous form and made fifties in rapid time and Osmaston were cruising to a five wicket victory with 7 overs to spare.  The Gargoyles will need to post more challenging totals if they are to get back to winning ways.