Captains innings cannot save the game !!

By Ruth Steels

Melbourne loose to Copmanthorpe 2nds by 46 runs

Copmanthorpe 2nds 180-5
Melbourne 134-10
Result - Copmanthorpe won by 46 runs

With the opening game of the season cancelled the previous week Melbourne were keen to get out of the starting blocks. Melbourne with Nick Boyd at the helm won the toss and elected to put Copmanthorpe 2nds in to bat on a bitterly cold afternoon at the MCG. With bowlers Ben Charlton and Martin Anderson opening they both bowled well and had restricted the Cop openers to 36 off 16 overs when Anderson dismissed Atkinson [10] to a caught and bowled. Two overs later Anderson struck again thanks to a brilliant diving catch from Ben Thompson to take the wicket of Liebenberg [2]. With Cop on 39 for 2, Oakes entered the scene and along with Cop captain Newton the two added another 24 before Newton [28] was caught by Ben Charlton off the bowling of Brian Underwood. Oakes and Byers proved hard work for the Melbourne bowlers both finding boundaries resulting in a partnership of 74 finally being broken when Byers [42] was out lbw off the bowling of Harrison. Oakes [55] lost his wicket when he was bowled by Ben Charlton. Copmanthorpe finished the 40 overs with Wood on 21 not out and Martin on 6 bringing the total to 180-5.
Melbourne bowling figures: M Anderson 12-3-19-2, B Charlton 11-2-50-2
In reply Melbourne got off to a disappointing start loosing the wickets of Ben Thompson [6], Ian Kirby [2]both bowled by Byers and Oliver Steels [3] who was bowled by Atkinson. Martin Anderson looked settled until he decided to hit out and was caught off the bowling of Byers when on 13. With Melbourne on a worrying 48 for 4 stalwart Malcolm Harrison hit a good 24 before being caught by Newton off the bowling of Wood, Brian Underwood joined Nick Boyd at the crease but made a wrong call and was run out when on 4. With Boyd edging the score along he was joined by Alex Barlow who made a good 13 before being caught off the bowling of Atkinson. Jack Evers making his debut made a good 5 before being bowled by Byers. Melbourne captain Nick Boyd after playing an exceptional innings finished on a very well deserved 48 not out.Melbourne finishing 46 runs short of victory.
Copmanthorpe 2nds bowling: A Byers 11.2-1-27-5, R Atkinson 10-1-32-2
Many thanks to the match ball sponsor - The Insurance Partnership. Next week sees Melbourne at home to Malton & Old Malton.