PRE SEASON FOOTBALL GOALS AND MORTON CCC WIN

PINXTON V BORROWASH VICS 3-3
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ EASTWOOD COMM FC
MORTON COLLIERY CRICKET CLUB V WEST HALLAM WHITE ROSE CC
@ BACK LANE MORTON
9 JULY 2016 1200 AND 1.30PM [2.45PM START]

FOOTBALL BACK UNDER WAY PINXTON [BLUE] V BORROWASH VICS

A pick and mix of a Saturday sport extravaganza saw the blog take in a pre season game on Eastwood Community FC's new 3g pitch and then a cracking little game of cricket closer to base on this rain affected day, yet again.
The blogs intention was to cover rugby league again but with horrendous weather forecast again the decision was made after a morning approaching 3 hours of heavy rain to take in an early pre season game just over the border in Nottinghamshire with 2 Derbyshire sides undertaking an early kick off at 12 noon.

The ground has been covered before and twice over the last few months in relation to the excellent new 3g development and today it came into its own allowing this game to take place when a few others were called off due to the wet stuff.  When will it not rain on a Saturday, indeed West Hallam CC had tweeted the forecast for raining saying 'it must be Saturday'.
The pitch of course would have no problems and the amount of rain was evident as the rain had drained off well to part of the terracing which had been left with a small pond.

EARLY SEASON 'WORD'

Teams are rarely available for pre season games and although some players were known to the blog I wont bother to name them in fear of getting some of the unknown ones wrong.  Needless to say this game was a little cracker with no shortage of tackles and goals to enjoy.  A penalty gave Pinxton the lead before Borrowash came back to lead 2-1 at half time. 
The second half was a tantalising affair and after Vics extended their lead to 3-1 it looked all over for the CMFL outfit.  But Pinxton were resilient and puled it back to 3-3 even though Borrowash struck the bar the game ended in a fair draw that I believe both sides would have seen as a very good competitive work out.
During the second half I had kept a check on the local cricket and with most clubs falling foul to the morning downpour I wasn't hopeful but there was the little beauty Morton Colliery Cricket Club taking off the covers and working on the square and outfield.
There was a 2nd and even 3rd game here at Eastwood the 2.30pm kick off was tempting with Eastwood Community taking on Belper Utd.  But the challenge was on at just after 1.30pm take the gamble and get back to Morton for some cricket that looked likely to play.  A dash and 25 minute walk saw the blog arrive at Back Lane just after 3pm and with a delayed start at 2.45pm not too much had been missed.

MORTONS ASH CAUNT ON HIS WAY TO 56

Morton Colliery Cricket Club was covered just 2 weeks ago and since then the weather had once again frustrated them so they were keen to get the game on and club officials and players, yes players had got down to the ground from mid morning to all lend a hand in ground works.  A real credit to the club well done guys this makes a real change and you secured a great result too.  The ground was covered in the blog 2 weeks ago so I wont re cover that apart from saying by the early evening when the weather brightened this lovely ground started to come into its own.
Once again the club officials here were welcoming and for any local sport fan I can only recommend you pop down and take look at a game and enjoy the surroundings and enthusiasm of Morton Cricket Club.

HARRY WILMOTT IN DEFENSIVE MODE

To the game and even though it was reduced to 35 overs Morton managed to secure a fantastic total of 217 for 6.  A slow but cautious start set the base Ash Caunt opening secured 56 and then at number 5 the whirlwind that is vice captain David Greaves hit his maiden county league century.  That doesn't really sum it up because in a game of stats it was some achievement scoring 117 not out in 65 minutes from 60 balls with 11x4 and 7x6.  A deserved standing ovation and some tea was called for before returning to the field to opening the bowling.

DAVID GREAVES RECEIVES A STANDING OVATION FOR HIS 117 NOT OUT

The enjoyable day continued for Greaves with an early wicket and then a boundary catch to add to his efforts with the bat.  West Hallam White Rose were going well with South African Overseas player Thabo Masheshemane looking well set but a sharp catch from Mitch Adlington off of Brad Clarke took the vital wicket and from then on in it was advantage to the home side.  The visitors fell to 128 all out in the 29th over and Morton had gained 25 points in the only game of the day in Division 2.

DISMISSAL OF WEST HALLAMS OVERSEAS PLAYER SEES MORTON PLAYERS CONGRATULATE ONE ANOTHER

What felt a mix and match sports day was provided with an excellent pre season friendly and a great close to the early evening with a cricket match that completed without the weather denying a victory.