Milnthorpe vs Warton

Warton go top with comprehensive win.

Warton looked to continue their good start to the season when they made the short trip to Milnthorpe. The only change to the starting line-up was Jeffrey Winder out and The Beef making his second start of the season after a couple of weeks out with a repetitive wrist injury.

Veteran Crowther won the toss and asked Milnthorpe to make first use of what looked like a decent wicket considering the overnight rain. Warton opened with Needham, who in recent weeks has been nicknamed ‘Whispering Death’ due to his similarities with the great West Indian. Unfortunately, these similarities stop in the changing room, and not on the pitch.

Crowther’s decision was soon vindicated as Needham struck with his first ball, a short and wide loosener was tickled by Parkinson and taken by Barnfield. Pennington looked to be assertive from the off, but Crowther removed him with an in-swinging yorker, and Milnthorpe were soon 13-2. Bowman looked assured at one end and with Singleton they looked to steady the ship, but Needham found the edge of Singleton for a regulation catch, and when Woodburn was snaffled by Le Bouef off Partridge, and Milnthorpe were reeling at 42-4.

Crowther looked for input from his senior players, and after Weatherill had added his tuppence to the discussion young Gavin Price was introduced to the attack. Gavin accounted for Bowman in his first over much to the cheers of Keith on the sideline, and Warton were in control. Bob Baldwin can count himself unlucky as he was caught by Stu Mayor, a feat similar to Christmas, as that too only happens once a year.

Cormack and Postlethwaite soon departed, both clean bowled by Price, and when young Liam Baldwin was stumped first ball by Barnfield the end was nigh. Lewthwaite attempted a quick single to keep the strike and a moment of sheer magic as Bolton defied gravity (and the laws of physics) as he collected the ball and threw down the stumps whilst in mid air and found Lewthwaite short of his ground. On the same note Warton CC would like to send their apologies to the groundstaff at Milnthorpe CC, but on the upside that wicket shouldn’t need rolling for at least a few weeks.

Warton opened their innings with Mayor and Price hoping their differing styles would complement one another. Woodburn and Singleton bowled with control early on, and it was Price who was first to depart succumbing to Baldwin’s inswing and adjudged leg before. 27-1 soon became 33-2 as Mayor had got wind that the bar had opened, and unfortunately fell 34 short of what would have been a well deserved half century. Barnfield joined birthday boy Ricky Nelson at the crease, which going forward could be a thing of the past. Nelson has recently admitted his availability may now be limited due his new eligibility to play with TB for Cumbria over 65’s, so every dogged innings is one to be savoured. The pair managed to knock off the remainder of the 30 runs required, Nelson finished unbeaten on 15 and Barnfield on 14.

Warton took home the 12 points and now sit at the summit of the Westmorland League after the first four games of the season. Next week see’s Warton play Holme at The Hyning in the divisional cup, and then Westgate on Sunday in the Hackney & Leigh Cup. Both guarantee to be good games, and with the forecast set to be good why not come down to the Hyning to sample a few ales in the sunshine.

Thanks must go to our match sponsors L Stephenson & Sons. Family run builders based in Arnside, who practice a relaxed employee recruitment policy.

For more information please visit www.lstephensonandsons.co.uk or call 01524 761355

By Tom Barnfield