With many of Melbournes signed on players either celebrating Bods significant birthday in the Yorkshire Dales, on international duties in Ibiza and Portugal or having a flutter at York Races it was down to The Melbourne Six plus 2 to endeavour to do their best to overcome the Stockton & Hopgrove lads. On winning the toss on a hot/humid afternoon James Coupland elected to send the Stockton lads out to field/melt. Opening with Tim Blackmore and Scott Coupland the two put on 33 in 10 overs, however Blackmore [11] was bowled by Fernadez. Coupland suffered the same fate 2 overs later after making 16. Ian Kiby was joined by Oliver Steels and the 2 added a further 52 to the board before Kirby [36] was bowled by Williams in the 25th over. James Coupland joined Steels and the two made light work of any loose ball and added a further 44 to the board before Coupland [36] was caught off the bowling of Pat Durkin. Durkin also picked up the wickets of Ben Hardcastle who he bowled in the 35th over and Mal Harrison and loanee player Paul Woodhouse who were both caught to close the Melbourne innings on 152-7. Steels finished on 37*
Stockton bowling: P Durkin 9-2-34-4, A Fernandez 9-2-17-2
In reply Stockton opened with Rich Kerrison and Pete Fairclough who put on 47 runs before Fairclough[16] was bowled by Woodhouse. Saveio joined Kerrison and the two put on another 41 runs beofre Saveio [13] was dismissed lbw by Harrison. Harrison caught Kerrison [57] in the24th over off the bowling of Scott Coupland. Kalum Perera batted well and made a quick fired 24 before retiring hurt. Fernandez finished off the Stockton innings with a maximum in the 28th over as he notched up 36*. Melbourne used 6 bowlers in an effort to claim wickets but it was not to be with large gaps in the field making runs easy for the Stockton players.
Melbourne bowling: P Woodhouse 4-0-23-1, M Harrison 4-0-28-1, S Coupland 10-0-44-1
Next week sees Melbourne away at Ovington. Many thanks to the match ball sponsor - Jelf Insurance