1st team report vs hooten pagnell cup

Stainborough v Hooton Pagnell - Dyson Skidmore Cup Semi Final 12/07/09 2.00pm

Weather: Humid / Overcast

Wicket: Soft / Wet (due to heavy overnight rain)

Stainborough CC in their 150th season have an opportunity of crowning this anniversary with silverware after claiming their 3rd top flight scalp in this cup semi final with Hooton Pagnell. A decent crowd were in attendance at Park Drive to witness what was anticipated to be a keenly contentested tie yet instead saw the home side cruise to an 8 wicket triumph.

Skipper Rushforth won the toss and decided to ask the vistors to bat first on what could only be described as a 'damp green 'un' due to overnight rain. Rushforth, opening the bowling from the 'shed end' kept things reasonably tight early on (8 overs 1 for 16), whilst Reidy from the 'pub end' was equally frugal (8 overs 0 for 17). Owen looked to up the run rate for the visitors and in so doing took a liking to David Kershaw's medium pace in the process, particularly when hoisting Dave for a big six in his second over. Undaunted after two overs no wicket for 20, Dave continued from the 'shed end' and bowled his remaining six overs for just 4 runs taking three wickets in the process including that of Owen for 34!!! What a comeback! Clarke then captured the dangerman Dyke, caught at slip, and the hooton innings was in turmoil. Senior pro Phillip Archer kept a lid on the scoring at the death with some 'canny' slow left arm in tandem with Clark who captured another key wicket that of Jackson who mysteriously came to the wicket at number 10 and with his demise went any chance of Hooton topping the ton, their innings closing on 88 all out.

In reply the 'boro innings couldn't possibly have gotton off to a worse start with Paul Hanson pulling a short one straight to square leg off the opening delivery from Owen. Surely there wasn't to be a return to 'boro's early season batting wobbles? Phil Archer dispelled any uncertainty in steadying the ship together with Tom Atkinson before falling 'strangled' caught behind for 23. Clarke then dispatched his first ball over the onside boundary for six, followed by a crunching offside blow the following over, but it was Atkinson who was the star in the batting line-up scerenly moving to a half century and bringing up the win with a six! 'Boro will now face Frickley in the final at Ackworth on August 2nd after defeating Streethouse.