1s Close But No Cigar...

First team just fall short in a hard fought contest

As the sun beamed down on Arthington Lane the 1s prepared for the 2nd game of the season which would see Kirkstall as the visitors. Skipper Charlie Bell lost the toss and had to bowl first. However the hope of some early movement on a hazy day was certainly in prospect as the pitch would always get harder later on.

David Amos and Sam Wilkinson took the new ball however lateral movement was very hard to come by. Both openers for Kirkstall played some good shots to push the rate at a constant 5 an over. Amos very unlucky not to have Oliver out with quite a few play and misses. Youngster Will Pallister replaced Wilkinson and found a good rhythm and made the first breakthrough of the day at 57-1 with Oliver flicking one onto his stumps. Amos and Pallister bowled very well in tandem and the rate dropped to 4 an over but the pitch was a cracker and Pool needed to take wickets to gain an advantage.

Jake Zsilinszky replaced Amos and Olly Boggie replaced Pallister during the middle overs and at the halfway point it was 105-1. After Zsilinszky held up one end he was replaced by Amos who made the breakthrough with a burst of inspiration. The score now 116-2 which suddenly became 118-3 as Adil Mehmood held onto one in the deep off Boggie turning the tables a little towards the home side. This was then 133-4 as Wilkinson took a simple catch at long on off Boggie who was proving quite a handful with some late swing and an excellent field setting.

Zsilinszky back into the attack as Amos had some overs saved for the end of the innings and a smart piece of fielding from Boggie saw a run out for a diamond duck after an unfortunate slip had the visitors 142-5. Boggie struck for a 3rd time bowled to make it 144-6 and an excellent period for the home side who were setting high standards in the field.

After a small partnership Zsilinszky claimed the skipper Brown at 164-7 then Amos who was on his 3rd set clean bowled Gibson at 191-8. Wilkinson replaced Boggie but some late hitting from the batting side rallied them to 247-9 at the close. Wilkinson grabbed one last ball caught by Mark Gilliver but struggled to find a good line towards the end and the batters cashed in. Amos finishing a tidy set of 14 with 2-54. Chief destroyer was Olly Boggie with 3-45.

Dave Paynter and Mark Gilliver opened the batting for Pool and got off to a great start. Paynter in particular picking out the boundary on many occasions. Gilliver was the first man out LBW for 5 and Jake Zsilinszky was in at 3 at 28-1. The pair batted positively on a great batting surface and pushed the score on. Paynter the next man to go for 32 caught at slip and Skipper Charlie Bell was in at 4 however he was soon back in the tent as he was out first ball lbw. A little wobble after a great start brought stalwart John Goldthorp to the crease at 71-3.

After Zsilinszky punished any full bowling Goldthorp was unlucky to be given out LBW when only the bowler appealed. Billy Whitford in at 6 who was caught behind for 2 several minutes later. Pool needed somebody to hold up with Zsilinszky but Adil Mehmood soon followed Whitford bowled for 1. Step up Olly Boggie at 8 who batted excellently and gave Zsilinszky some foundation to tick the score on. 101-6 soon became 130-6 and Zsilinskzy passed his first 50 of the season with ease. Unfortunately a fine piece of fielding brought his demise for 66 as he was run out. Sam Wilkinson in at 9 with a big task at 148-7 with 14 overs left but the left hander can hold his own.

Boggie and Wilkinson picked up runs freely. Some excellent running and some boundaries led the pair to put on 50 and bring up the 200 and a chance with 45 needed off the last 5 overs. Boggie was out for a fine 44 as he found the fielder at mid on. Dave Amos in at 10 found the boundary pretty quickly and him and Wilkinson still had hope until Amos was caught at long on for 5. The score 218-9 and Will Pallister the last man in. He was caught at long off for 0 and Pool ended up 218 all out 30 short. Wilkinson ended up 33no and Kirkstall took the win.

Pool picked up some valuable points and will be encouraged by the tenacity of the late flurry of runs as previous times they have rolled over for 120 in the same situation. High spirits in camp will help on to the next match again at home to Collingham next week. Come down and support the lads.

Pool MOM: Olly Boggie

Dingle x