JAMES AND JACK SHOW IN RUN FEST

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 287 FOR 5 DEC SHIPLEY HALL 2NDS 110 ALL OUT

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT STREET

28 MAY 2022 --- 1.30PM

JAMES ALDIS EYES ON THE BALL FOR 146 PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS V SHIPLEY HALL

A massive 177 run victory for Pilsley and Clay Cross was set up by the James and Jack show in Aldis [146] and Warsop [92] as they took apart Shipley Hall 2nds attack, all this after they had stumbled to 1 for 2 in the opening moments.  There was though a great cameo appearance in this storyline from captain Tristan Bowers, who mindful of the clubs last two games ending in wining draws as they could not take the oppositions final wicket, he declared five full overs short of his sides allotment as they reached 287 for five.  Those extra overs would prove vital as the final Shipley wicket fell in the forty second to secure the large victory to secure 27 points.

Add to this Aldis also chipped in with two wickets sending back both of the visitors openers.

JACK WARSOP 92 FOR PILSEY AND CLAY CROSS

After recent weeks commitments this week I could make the mid range walk again to my adopted village or have I just twinned with Pilsley, however on arrival at just before 1.30pm proceedings were underway and the home side were in trouble with 2 wickets down and just one run on the board.  Last times poster boy Ian Knowles [1] was out and Pete Lacey did not trouble the scorers.  The visitors openers were proving a handful with Art Lacey and Rosco Cyster each dismissing one of the openers this had bought together Aldis and Warsop and slowly but surely they saw off the openers before moving through the gears before the blistering latter stages of their innings when they dispatched the ball to all parts of the ground.  Warsop was first to go eight off his century when he found Lacey [A] on the long on boundary.  Aldis moved on at a pace and he moved the scoring on at a ferocious pace before being bowled by the returning Cyster [R] going for another big hit and agonisingly four short of his 150.  There was a quick fire knock from Graham Turner [25*] who kept the scoreboard moving along at apace ably assisted by two big blows from Cameron Lee [8*] before upon completion of over number 35 captain Bowers called the innings to a close with a massive 287 in the book.     

JAMES ALDIS MANY RUNS AND THE FIRST OF THE PICTURES TODAY

The visitors opening bowlers were the pick of the bunch with Cyster [R] returning 3 for 36 and Lacey [A] 1 for 1 for 34 other than that it had been a hard work afternoon for the visitors who stuck to their task with fortitude.

JACK WARSOP HITS OUT WITH PICTURESQUE BACKDROP

Usual interval walk around back lane to the pit canteen and back in time for some wildlife spotting as the swallows flitted around the outfield the hare was still on his tea break, a nice selection of green grass you might have guessed, as the players returned to the field with Shipley looking at a massive ask.

BEST FOOT FORWARD EARLY ON FOR JAMES ALDIS

They were soon in trouble at 21 for 3 after seven overs and it was top scorer Aldis doing the damage as he sent back both openers Lacey [A] [10] and Owen Hodson [3] with the first ball of his first and second over.  The first ball phenomenon continued when captain Bowers with the first ball of his fourth over dismissed visitors captain and wicket keeper Robert Cockayne [7].  

JAMES ALDIS CENTURY MAKER

There was some resistance from Paul Thornhill [21] and Steve Cockayne [21] as Pilsley began to wonder if a winning draw was all their efforts would gain for a third match running but slowly but surely they got over the line with Lee dismissing both and then taking the final wicket when he bowled David Cyster with the second ball of the 42nd over and Pilsley were grateful for that Bowers early declaration leaving enough overs in hand to claim the 27 points.

CLASSIC ALDIS POSE AFTER ANOTHER BIG HIT

Some remarkably big hitting from the home side and at last for them they could secure a win that the previous couple of weeks had deserved but that's the nature of cricket at this level and thankfully it also allowed today for the added bonus of extra overs that Pilsley had not used up.

SLIPS LINE UP FOR PILSLEY

The return journey would now take in the regular stop off at the Pilsley Colliery pit memorial tub in a private garden just down from the ground on Rupert Street and well worth a visit in its refurbished state for the owners summer season of flower planting and additional and new display items of mining memorabilia.  Amazingly I had missed on the way up to the ground that the post box had been yarn bombed again this time with Queens Jubilee celebration party items.  The cake looked appetising but I guess would not have been to digestible so time to move on back top base.  

AND NOW WITH THE BALL JAMES ALDIS

Thanks again to Pilsley and Clay Cross CC and their captain for the warm welcome and also for the second visit running no need for a big jacket or an umbrella although you do have to fear that this will happen at some point this season at Rupert Street its got some great views but its position on a ridge sure invites the elements in. 

IAN KNOWLES PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS WICKET KEEPER