Back to winning ways

A breezy and blustery day on which the second eleven intended on taking 25 points from TImperley at home for the second time this season. One of the stars from the previous game Matthew Griffiths was in the first team but Ian Metcalf remained in a side much changed from the embarrassment of the Nantwich defeat seven days earlier. Skipper won the toss and batted.
Joe Killoran and Mike Treen opened and both departed relatively quickly. 17 for 2 and Dil in with Ian to steady the ship. The pair played watchfully both defending lots of balls without there being significant numbers of maidens: the score ticked over. The 58 run partnership was broken with Dil out for an invaluable 26 before Ian (37) perished without a run being added. 75 for 4. Eddie Roberts and Alex Townend in together with Wiggy looking to be the aggressor and Ed playing himself in. Boundaries from Wiggy but out for a brisk 21. George joined the fray in what proved the major partnership of the innings. Both batters played excellently and ran well building a 75 run stand. Excellent stuff from Ed (35) including some trademark back cuts and square dives - a pleasure to watch. Skipper in with George as he brought up his second fifty of the season. Well played. He holed out (59) and left Dan (31*) and Fishy to scamper a few at the end. 245 a good total on a flat pitch which was well set up courtesy of two fifty plus partnerships.
One point of note being the run out of Charlie Fleet. Backing-up at the non-strikers end, Charlie was unfortunately dismissed as Dan smashed one back at the bowler who, realising the ball was travelling quickly, tried to remove his hand and in doing so, diverted the ball on to the stumps. Technically a golden duck as he was out having faced one ball. Unlucky.
The Chester bowling attack is dangerous at the best of times but with a score on the board to bowl to, opposition teams rarely get half way towards it and so it proved. Sam Mallows is having his best season. Approaching 30 wickets and bowling with excellent rhythm. He and Wiggy opened. A batting order looking under strength. One down in the first over, castled by big Sam. Treen then spilled a tricky chance at point and a partnership began to from before Sam again struck; a bowled and a catch for Dan. The inevitable end was coming closer. Charlie and Dan in to the attack and a run-out. Charlie Fleet excellent and quick thinking and the not out batsmen roundly abused by his team mate. Some big swings from the lower order but when Dan bowled the last man with the score on 101, the game was over. A comfortable win with many plusses. Sam 4 wickets and Charlie 3 again the key bowlers.

MotM - George Metcalf. Back in the runs with a bang.
DotD (or The Joe Killoran Award as it should be known) - Joe Killoran for high giving Alan the umpire when he gave an LBW decision. Shocker.