1s Miss Out In A Reduced Contest

Final hurdle fall as first win still needed.

After 4 consecutive games at home it was time to head away from Arthington Lane for the first away fixture of the season. A trip to North Leeds was on the agenda and with some rain about the fixture looked like in may be interrupted over the course of the day. Charlie Bell won the toss and elected to bowl first then the heavens opened and the start was delayed.

After a couple of hours of rain the clouds parted and a 330 start was given the nod by the umpires with 25 overs a side. Dave Amos and Sam Wilkinson opened the bowling and Wilkinson made the first break at 8-1 with the batter playing a mistimed pulled shot into the safe hands of Jake Zsilinszky. The openers found some early movement and eat the bat several times but Winter and Carson put on 50 between them. Will Pallister had replaced Amos and Jake Zsilinszky replaced Wilkinson.

It was Pallister who made the next break with an excellent piece of fielding off his own bowling. The batsmen went for a quick single but 'Phil' made an excellent one handed pick up and direct hit. He then took his first wicket of the match a couple of overs later clean bowled making the score 87-3. This was then 91-4 as the youngster was in fine form, a good catch from Adil Mehmood dismissing Winter for 29 which he then followed up with a trademark yorker a few balls later giving him 3 wickets.

A steady partnership then pushed the score on past the 150 mark. Billy Whitford and Dave Amos bowled the last few overs and Whitford bowled a bouncer that hit Audain on the back of the head and he was forced to retire hurt. A coupe of lusty blows gave North Leeds a score of 183-5 off 25 overs. Pallister 3-40 and Wilkinson 1-24.

Dave Paynter and Mark Gilliver opened the batting and it was Paynter who was first to depart for 5 as one held in the pitch and was caught at Cover. Jake Zsilinszky in at 3 and he dealt in boundaries and came out with intent. Him and Gilliver ticked the score to 47 before Gilliver was bowled for 12. Charlie Bell in at 4 and as the overs ticked by the lads tried tirelessly to keep up with the rate. A mix up lead to Zsilinszky being run out for a well made 36 and Adil Mehmood was in at 5 to boost the run rate. The task was getting harder and Bell was given out LBW when he took the case of it, Sam Wilkinson in at 6 and the rate was up at 8+ an over. Mehmood found the boundary in quick fashion but was caught behind for 17. Wilkinson then followed as he picked out deep mid wicket for 0. John Goldthorp and Olly Boggie the new men and after a cameo Boggie was caught for 7.

Dave Amos promoted to 9 was a man on a mission as him and Goldthorp starting hitting sixes left right and centre. 20 runs needed off 2 overs as Amos departed bowled for an excellent 23 off just 8 balls. Billy Whitford in at 10 and unfortunately Goldthorp could not quite get over the line as he went for a well made 40 rolling back the years. Will Pallister the last man in and unfortunately a run out in the last over meant Pool were 13 short at 170 all out.

A stellar run chase but just not quite close enough as a few bonus points were picked up but that first win will have to be put to next week. Come down and support the 1s at home to Rawdon.

Pool MOM Will Pallister