1stXI Poor Form Continues

Meltham Spinners Take The Spoils

Rastrick 1st XI continued their slump in form with another disappointing victory at home to Meltham.

Batting first on a green looking wicket, Rastrick made a steady start with Mitchell McCoach and 2nd XI Captain Simon Farlow, making a rare 1st XI appearance. The new-look opening partnership took the score to 40 before Farlow fell for 9. The next dismissal was crucial, with Faisal Javed unfortunately run out without facing a ball as he backed up too far when a firmly struck drive from McCoach touched the bowlers fingers on the way to the stumps.

McCoach batted solidly on his way to 50 runs but only Bradley Birkhead (21) reached double figures as Rastrick began to collapse against the three-pronged Meltham spin attack. Ibrar Hussain (5-22 off 15 overs) was the pick of the bowlers as Rastrick limped to a well below total of 108 all out, after 46 overs.

In reply, Meltham were quickly out of the blocks with veteran opener Darren Hinchliffe scoring 29 and his young partner Sam Clegg 39. They fell to Faisal Javed and McCoach respectively and when Captain Olly Pearson struck three times to reduce the visitors to 83-5, there was a glimmer of hope. However, no further wickets fell as Moulson and Afzal saw Meltham over the line with just 21 overs bowled. Pearson's 3-13 was the only bright note of a thoroughly disappointing afternoon.

In spite of losing 3 consecutive games, Rastrick remain in the thick of the promotion chase, just 3 points behind new leaders Moorlands. However, they will need to shake themselves out of this awful run of form if they are to maintain their challenge. A trip to Denby next weekend will provide another stern test for Pearson's men who will be keen to turn things around.