1st XI
Matches
Sat 27 Apr 2013  ·  Division 2
South Milford Cricket Club
1st XI
206/9
207/6
Church Fenton
Fenton have the ‘Edge’ in local Derby

Fenton have the ‘Edge’ in local Derby

John Richardson1 May 2013 - 22:34
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Church Fenton skipper Kendal Edgley all round performance saw his side beat local rivals Milford.

Milford first teams opening home match saw us take on local rivals Church Fenton. Morning heavy showers of rain and hail stones had left the Swan Croft damp despite the strong cold NE wind blowing across it. A good toss to win and Fenton did, to no one’s surprise they eventually decided to put us in.

Three changes to Milford’s eleven compared to last weeks, the first run out for new vice captain Adam ‘Elmer’ Gee, Martin Bramley stepping up into the first team after an opening day half century for the 2nd team and the début of new recruit Rob Perigrine. Rob is an ex Central Yorkshire player from Birstall CC and will hopefully only strengthen the team having played in the Premier division.

So the well wrapped up Milford openers, Greg Handley & Pete Batty, started cautiously. The Swan Croft was looking lovely in the spring sunshine and the pavilion sparkled after its redecorating, but the wicket was playing a bit low and slow after the morning’s rain. The ball was not really coming onto the bat and the moisture encouraging a bit of swing. This late movement probably accounted for Greg as he edged one to the keeper in the 5th over with the score on just 7.

Andy Radi was next in and he made his intentions clear right from the off, if he plays the full season in this entertaining fashion things certainly won’t be boring. It looked like he had decided that nearly every ball was going to get the full treatment. He was in complete contrast to Pete who was doing a fantastic impression of Chris Tavare at his most wary.

Whatever the combination it seemed to work and the pair put on 45 runs until the inevitable happened and Andy was out, for 32, going for another big shot. This brought new boy Rob Perigrine to the crease and his first scoring shot was a classy cover drive, alas the shot two balls later wasn’t as classy as he seemed to play too early and skied an easy catch to Warren Davis.

As the wicket dried out scoring became easier and Pete started to pick up the pace but Fenton brought on perennial Milford tormentor Rob Love (3 for 32) to bowl his usual nagging line & length ‘Tommy Trundelers’. They did the trick as he bowled Peter for 26 in the 28th over of the innings. Shame for Peter as he had done all the hard work and just couldn’t push on to get a well deserved 50+.

The customary Milford batting wobble saw us 100 for 6 but Stuart Morley and Steve Winspear put on 55 for the 7th wicket to rejuvenate the innings. This partnership was particularly impressive as we had to go off for 15 minutes in the middle to let a heavy rain squall blow through. The rain generated the lowest every rainbow I have ever seen. The rainbow was in the trees just over the beck, a very strange sight. The rain soon cleared so we could resume our innings and it was that sunny a pair of swallows swooped over the ground. Though remember the old saying about swallows & summer.

Stuart & Steve was soon back to lifting our run rate and just as it looked like we were going to finish with all guns blazing Stuart played down the wrong line to a ball which took out his off stump. Fortunately the tail batted really well and kept the score board ticking over, a real shame that a mix up between Loz White & Steve Winspear over a 2nd run saw Steve run out after he had reached his first 50 of the season. Young Sam Thomas replaced Steve and closed our innings with three boundaries in consecutive balls. This lifted our score over 200 which when we were 104 for 6 in the 32nd over had looked very unlikely.

This weeks teas were provided by Greg Handley and his wife, a Handley tea can always be guaranteed to be excellent with an unusual twist to it. Today’s proved no exception and the various wraps making nice change to the almost standard open sandwiches you get other weeks. I must admit to getting a bit addicted to the peanut butter brittle and the mini Danish pastries that were for sweet. Well worth a 9/10 on the scorers charts.

So to a now totally clear blue sky Milford took the field to defend their total. Opening bowler Steve Winspear debuted his new bowling technique. It’s the Star Trek method - he beams them down. After bowling two full tosses to Tom Dean he then got him out the conventional way with an edge to keeper Paul Hebden.

Fenton captain Kendall Edgley wasn’t fazed by this and took advantage of some woeful catching from Milford to score at a run a ball. He eased through his 50 in just 47 deliveries and it wasn’t till Milford skipper turned to last weeks star bowler, Sam Thomas, that his wicket fell. Sam bowled a peach of a delivery to leave him total bamboozled by his googly.

Ex Milford junior Stephen Wragg and wicket keeper Rob Lancaster kept the Fenton reply on track pushing the score onto 182 with 6 overs remaining. Fenton seemed to be able to build decent batting partnerships for each wicket. Even the return of last years leading wicket taker Adam ‘Elmer’ Gee into the attack failed to stop the Fenton march to our total. Adam was debuting his new cricketing trousers which he got as a barging on e-bay (£5). Very stylish with a green panel down the side. The cut is very generous allowing Gee plenty of freedom in them. In fact the rumours is that they were last worn by MC Hammer on his ‘You Can’t Touch This’ video……, a real collectors item then. Yet to be confirmed but it is said the drag caused by these fashion victims, sorry items, has knocked at least 5 mph from Elmer’s already limited pace.

James Stephenson joined Stephen Wragg in the middle and clubbed two sixes to see Fenton safely home with 3 overs remaining and 4 wickets in hand. Best bowling figures for Milford were once again those belonging to Sam Thomas with 3 for 45 off 10 overs. If he continues with this form he could be taking the President’s Trophy off Elmer which he has had proudly on his mantle the last two years.

So not a bad day for Fenton’s skipper Kendall Edgley, he was the top scorer with 66 took a wicket, a catch and ran out Milford’s best batsmen Steve Winspear to keep them unbeaten so far this season.

Match details

Match date

Sat 27 Apr 2013

Kickoff

13:30

Meet time

13:00

Instructions

Please meet at the Swan Croft

Competition

Division 2
Team overview
Further reading