Milford's Batting Shatter Under Marriotts Attack.

The 2013 season drew to a close with a trip up the A1 to already relegated Kirk Deighton A. The weather forecast earlier in the week promised something approaching November like but as it turned out it was much more pleasant with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the mid teens. The rain the night before had cleared and the impressive covers at Kirk Deighton had done their job to leave the ground looking a picture. It's been many years since we last visited Deighton but it still is one of the most picturesque grounds in the Wetherby League.

A much different 1st team this week from the one which beat Sicklinghall last time, no Dan or Loz White, Greg Handley and Billy Thompson also missing and a late withdrawal was Martin Bramley.
In their place was chairman Dewi Thomas, Ben White and Joe Plater and his dad Chris.

The wicket was still a bit damp in spite of been covered so the winning of the toss would be vital. Alas Milford skipper Elmer Gee called wrong this time and we were asked to bat. So Peter Batty and Joe Plater strode out to the middle to begin our innings.

The drying wicket and the knowledge that our batting was a bit lacking in depth this week ensured a cautious start, also the Kirk Deighton bowling was right on the money from the off. John Smith playing his last game for Deighton before retirement proving to be particularly difficult, his 12 over spell only conceding 26 runs. His fellow opener, Rob Barker, at the pavilion end was also proving to be as economic until his 6th over where he conceded 3 boundaries to Joe.

Though more than half Peter's age Joe didn't play the lesser role in the partnership and matched him run for run. Neither batsmen had given Kirk Deighton any chances and it only when junior Ben Clare came on to replace Barker that Joe looked uncomfortable. Clare bowled well of a nice tight run up and had a really nice Yorker which Joe struggled to keep out. It was off Clare that Joe gave his first real chance trying to knock a full toss out of the field. A quick word from Peter and Joe was soon back to a more sensible approach. Clare finished his allowed 5 overs for just 15 runs and this brought on the man who would change the game for Deighton, John Marriott.

A lumbering bear of a man Marriott came on at the pavilion end bowling a nagging medium pace. Initially he found little success and Milford reached our first century opening stand of the season in the 28th over, Peter picking his third 50 of the season in the process. Shortly after Joe was out for 37, a shame as he had just played the shot of the day to dispatch a ball from Jonathan Watkins for 6 over the road. It looked so effortless, beautifully timed.

Joe's departure signalled the total collapse of the Milford batting, looking like a close to 200 score was possible with 16 overs left we lost 10 wickets for 40 runs. Mr Chaiman, Dewi Thomas, had been detirmined he was going to bat early in the innings and rumour was he even drove to the match in his pads, claiming seniority he strode out at No 3. Four balls later he was back to be the first of our 5 ducks. At least he had survived more than one ball, Stuart Morley (never saw it gov) and Chris Plater got the 'honor' of having golden ones.

It was only Ben White, coming in at seven, who showed any sign of defence to the bowling of Marriott. He finished on 17 not out, including the other 6 of the innings. Milfords innings ending when veteran John Cain was run out for 4. All out for 147 inside 44 overs with John Marriott picking up a game changing 7 for 23.

Time for tea and a fantastic spread put on by Kirk Deighton. All the old favourites were there tuna, egg and ham plus a nice selection of savoury extras, the scorer making a bit of a pig of himself with the silver skin pickled onions... The sweets were just as good with home made cakes and flapjacks. This was certainly the best tea next to Kirk Hammerton's that I had sampled this year away from Milford, a fine way to end the season.

If we were going to win this game we needed early wickets and hope the Deighton batting was as fragile as ours had been. Veteran John Cain and Steve Winspear opened the attack and in his 2nd over Steve claimed the wicket of Deighton captain Tim Nicholson for a duck. Steve was looking pretty quick today but was spraying them around a bit when really trying to up the MPH. Stuart Morley behind the stumps at times having to dive full length to stop the extras building up.

Alas Steve's wicket was the only one we would pick up until the game was all but over, bowling star John Marriott also shone with the bat and along with Tom Draper put on 104 for the 2nd wicket. Draper topped scored with 52 and Marriott hit 45 to go along with his bowling, not a bad afternoons work. We did have chances against both batsmen, Andi Radi failing to cling on to a Winspear delivery which John Marriott edeged to 3rd slip. Diving to his left Andi would have certainly made the top 5 of the year if he had been able to cling on. Draper also was dropped twice, the first by captain Elmer once again off his own bowling then by Joe Plater later in his innings. None of the chances were easy but if just one had stuck the game might have swung in our favour.

Eventually the Milford fielders found their catching gloves and Chris Plater running a good 30 yds finally claimed the wicket off Draper, he then proceeded to run another 20 yds in celebration. A nice touch was that it was his sons Joe's first wicket of the day, caught Plater bowled Plater. Joe picked up a second wicket at the death when Pete Batty finally managed to stop a ball. John Marriott been the victim, a shame as he really deserved to bring the win in himself after his match winning contributions. In fact it was left to Ben Clare and Nick Lankester to steer Deighton safely home with 10 overs to spare in the now golden autumn evening light.

A disapointing end to what has been a fine season for the Milford 1st team. We finish safely in mid table and with 3 bowlers having claimed 20 or more wickets, also after a 2 year wait we have also had a century from the the batters.

I hope you enjoyed these, at times, rambling match reports and hopefully we will try again next April.

(This weeks picture is in no way the Milford middle order leaving the field - honest)