WARSOP TON GIVES PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS THE UPPER HAND

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 236 FOR 7 SHIPLEY HALL 2'S 150 FOR 4

DCCL DIV 6 N/E AT BARLOW HILL PILSLEY SPORTS GROUND

8 AUGUST 2020 --- 1PM

JACK WARSOP ON HIS WAY TO A CENTURY FOR PILSLEY

Despite a century from Jack Warsop Pilsley and Clay Cross could not find that elusive first league victory of the season and had to settle for a winning draw against Shipley Hall 2's who held out at 150 for 4 and also remain in search of their first win.

The last visit to Barlow Hill a couple of weeks previous saw an umbrella almost permanently aloft and on the return journey I spotted the superb little memorial garden to the local pits further down on Rupert Street and made a note that on any return I would gather a picture of this fantastic effort.  So with warm weather forecast the 'brolly was firmly placed in its holder along side its fellow rain beaters.  The walk of approximately fifty minutes would see me arrive at the memorial pit tubs just a few minutes before the ground as was mentioned in the previous blog the former Pilsley Colliery was just over the road from the sports grounds and closed in 1957.  However Parkhouse Colliery was just a field or two away from the sight screen at the Clay Cross end of the ground closed later in 1962 but is always remembered for its disaster on 7 November 1882 when 45 men and boys died deep down in the pit.  Later years would see CMFL football side take on the name although not really with any pit reference more a colloquial reference before a change to its current title Clay Cross Town FC.

THE IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL TO PILSLEY AND PARKHOUSE COLLIERIES

Onto the cricket and with both sides seeking that first victory the home team must have been showing some confidence of finding that first maximum especially when the visitors were a little short of a full compliment.  However it was good to see a team representing Shipley Hall after a few years ago blogging the T20 county finals there and meeting the long term club man Francis Peter Young a fine servant to his club and the game.

With no weather problems today the major issue would be the heat on this exposed ground the views would be hazy rather than covered in constantly drifting rain showers as per the last encounter with Lower Pilsley.

THE SCENE IS SET

Pilsley rattled off to a confident start with the scoreboard regularly clicking over or in today's climate the buttons were pushed for the electronic display to change its numerical order.  The first five overs went for 39 runs and although there was a slight restriction in the flow in which Ian Knowles went for 38 the overall score was always on the plus side with Warsop taking his opportunities well.  At the half way stage the score had moved to 121 for 2 with Steve Wood [7] the other batsman sent back to the pavilion.  Captain Tristan Bowers came in for a quickfire 20, Sam Doy secured 5 while Will Green [14] was again dismissed by a boundary catch this time an excellent running effort.  Warsop fell on the last ball of over 31 shortly after securing three figures from 95 balls with a dozen 4's and three maximums a sterling effort on a energy sapping afternoon.

STEVE WOOD CONCENTRATES

John Worthy hit a valuable 25 from just over half the deliveries to his total and when his partner Pete Lacey was run out for 4 captain Bowers had seen enough and declared the home sides innings after 34.4 overs, a decision that would mean Shipley would face the additional five overs giving Pilsley the chance to close in on that first victory.

TRISTAN BOWERS FRONT FOOT FORWARD FOR THE SWEEP

The Shipley reply could have been seen to have been in trouble at 31 for 2 but a third wicket partnership of 68 was enough to steady the ship and with the loss of just one more wicket the visitors held on batting out their adjusted 45 overs to finish on 150 for 4.  In the process of trying to take the full set of wickets needed captain Bowers used eight bowlers but it wouldn't be enough to deny Shipley Hall a defensive display that would give them confidence going forward too.

BAT HELD HIGH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE APPLAUSE FOR HIS CENTURY JACK WARSOP

For Pilsley this was, although a winning draw, probably disappointing to not secure a victory against a side who had to bat out the additional overs but the confidence from a big total and the century from opener Warsop will probably outweigh that.  The visitors were batted out of the game with the total posted but would be pleased that they were not dismissed cheaply or within their allotted overs and more than survived for the draw.

SAM DOY PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS CC

A humid afternoon with a two and a half mile walk to base followed by a spell in the shade and a glass of refreshing council pop.  This Saturday coming Pilsley are at home again against Riddings and with the continuation of local sport during the current climate hopefully it wont be too long before a revisit is

scheduled in to Rupert Street.

HEAT MIST NOT RAIN THIS WEEK