Result - Won by 16 runs

Top Performers

Stainborough 167-9, R. Grange 29, R. Umbers 21, G. McInerny 20, S. Wittlestone 4-39, H. Brook 4-40.

Darton 151 a.o., J. Kohter 33, S. Simons 33, K. Grimshaw 2-16, D. Kershaw 2-19

Match Report

Stainborough were put into bat and made steady progress. After 23 overs they had reached a score of 61 for the loss of just one wicket and were in an ideal position to push on for a big total. Ged McInerny (20), Richard Umbers (21) and Dean Coupland (19) all made useful contributions. Richard Grange (29) look set for a good score when he was unlucky to be run out by a direct hit from the square leg boundary. With wickets in hand Stainborough could afford to take risks in an attempt to get maximum batting points. Chris Hall (14) hit two big sixes, whilst Dave Kershaw (13) and Alistair Gilfillan (13 n.o) made good runs in the latter stages of the innings. A final score of 167-9 was perhaps 20 runs short of the desired target, with 4 wickets being sacrificed in the last 4 overs in an attempt to boost the run rate. S. Wittlestone 4-39 and H. Brook 4-40 were the pick of the Darton bowlers.

Darton got off to a poor start losing opener J. Morley first ball of the second over. Kevin Grimshaw picked up his second wicket shortly afterwards to leave Darton 14-2. Naylor and Beaumont set about repairing the damage before a mix up caused a run out, and two balls later Beaumont was snapped up at mid-wicket by Richard Grange. John Hall bowled an excellent spell of fast bowling and claimed a further wicket before Dave Kershaw put Stainborough firmly in control with Darton 66-6 off 28 overs.

With rain clouds gathering Stainborough's attention turned to getting the overs bowled quickly to ensure that the inevitable win was not denied by the weather. However, Kohker and Simons took advantage of the situation and began to push the score along. Ged McInerny then broke the 52 run partnership with Jonathan Pepper juggling with the ball at fly slip before gasping the ball at the fourth attempt. When two further wickets fell in the next two overs Darton were left on 121-9. This brought Wittlestone to the wicket and still believing that a Darton win was possible. He duly set about the bowling and hit several boundaries. By now the rain was falling heavily and it was difficult for the Stainborough bowlers to hold the bowl. Captain Dave Kershaw took the responsibility of bowling the last over with Darton seeking 18 runs for an unlikely victory. On the third bowl of the over Kershaw dismissed Simons (33) and ensured that Stainborough gained the maximum 10 points from the match. Last man Wittlestone was left unbeaten on 23.

This was an excellent team effort with the top eight batsmen all scoring double figures and all six bowlers used taking at least one wicket.

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