Victory harder than it should have been.

Shelf win by 3 against' Foot.

THE SUN shined on another win for Shelf as they beat Luddenden Foot by 3 wickets. The run chase was rather edgy as Foot took 7 wickets, but Nick Patefield and Chris Coates saw the game out.
ANYHOW, the bowling again was excellent seeing Robert Ramsden take 4 wickets, thanks to some quick thinking from Johnny Marshall behind the sticks. The sharp stumping caught the batter completely off guard, sending him back to the hut. Going on, Gavin Watmough bowled well with figures of 3-31 off of 13 overs. Nick Patefield tagged along with the 2 tail-end wickets to restrict the Luddenden total to 84 all out. Jack Hartley picked up the fielding point, especially down to that important, superb run-out to dismiss the opening batsman. From just under the boundary, Hartley scored a direct hit sending the Batter back to the hut once more!
Now, again, surely an easy run chase? Never count on it with Shelf CC!
With the usual Johnny Marshall and Andrew Dimbleby pairing to open the innings, things looked bright. Marshall fell victim to another top piece of fielding. Jack Hartley came to the crease knowing he had 50-odd overs to reach 84. That all got to his head after he was bowled for a duck. Tom Lamb entered next, adding a mear 6 to the total, to his obvious dissapointed. There is still a dint in the dressing room door, thanks Lamby! Anyway, Steve Priestley, who had actually turned up 45 minutes after the game had started, built a fairly strong partnership with Dimbo, until being trapped LBW on 26. Brad Patefield (4) AND Lee Crowther (1) spent brief times at the crease, then with Nick Patefield and Chris Coates coming in to steer Shelf safely home with around 29 overs left. Patefield (16not.out) hit 2 fours and a six whilst Coates (6not.out) played solidly to ensure maximum points. Another good win for Shelf. Next game Triangle, Home, Parish Cup, 13/5/12.
Points; Shelf 12, Luddendenfoot 2
Fielding Mark; Jack Hartley
High Score; Steve Priestley (26)
Lowest Score: Jack Hartley (0)
Highest wicket haul; Robert Ramsden (4-39)