NINE WICKET WIN AS PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS GO JUST 7 POINTS BEHIND LEADERS

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 108 FOR 1 AMBERGATE 2'S 105 ALL OUT

DCCL DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

20 AUGUST 2022 --- 1.30PM

CRICKET THE STUDIOUS GAME IAN WORTHY IN PILSLEY V AMBERGATE

Its been 19 hours and 41 days..........to badly quote a 1990's chart single, but indeed it had been since I had visited Rupert Street for a Pilsley and Clay Cross game and from regular status I had missed 2 home games in that period but today would make up for it.  With the weather set fair and a moderate breeze forecast I was well aware to accept gale force 9 on 'the ridge' as Pislsey went after chasing top spot in Division 7 North against Ambergate 2's.

CAPTAIN BOWERS OPENS THE BOWLING

Along with Grassmoor over in The Bassetlaw League Pilsley have as I mentioned last week been the blessing of keeping sport going as my days become more filled with demands, but with a responsive club to any request I have, thanks Tristan, why would I not pop along.

Today Ambergate won the toss and elected to bat and they reached a methodical 73/4 at the half way stage as drinks were taken but something must have happened to them or of course to Pilsley because by the first ball of over 25 they had collapsed to 82/9.  After captain Tristan Bowers had took two of the top order the wickets in this spell were aided by Ian Worthy 3 for 15 and Gareth Hatton 3 for 12 with Steve Gardiner and Graham Turner taking one apiece.

The last wicket put on twenty three valuable runs as it promised to be the usual problem that Pilsley often have as the three figures came up.  But the total of 105 all out looked way short of a challenging total but as we know cricket is a funny game and very rarely predictable.

NO SLIP UPS FRO THE PILSLEY CLOSE IN 

The first innings had still taken us to just shy of 4pm and the usual pit canteen tour was undertaken and arrival back at the ground was conveniently just right to witness openers Steve Wood and Pete Lacey 

CAMERON LEE HIS BOWLINGS TAKING OFF

Wood [38*] offered up an opportunity mid way through with a skier to mid on but thankfully this was not taken and he put on 75 with Lacey [38] before the latter was run out charging through to the danger end for a quick signal and on his call his fellow opener fancied it not remained solidly in his ground and with Lacey well through the crease the bails were whipped off and he had to keep running back to the pavilion for a frustrating end to his knock that looked like both would see the reply through without loss.

CHIP THE POOCHON IS DOWN FOR HIS CIRCUIT

It had been a cautious approach against some challenging bowling from the visitors young attack and although cautious the target could well be reached without any big hitting.  Somebody didn't tell Turner [27] who came in and despite an early chance, that again was spilled, he hit a blistering knock with boundaries flowing to get Pilsley over the line sooner rather than later.  In fact there were seventeen overs to spare and a finish at 5.45 was I think the earliest this season and a pleasant change from some of the later ones.

LACEY EYES ON THE BALL

The win puts Pilsley into joint second spot just seven points of leaders Whittington Wanderers who they travel to play at Brearly Park next week in a game that will test both sides and with Duffield to come its a tough spell of games for the Rupert Street outfit.  But far better to be in the mix than not at all.

PETE LACEY RUNS THROUGH FOR A QUICK SINGLE

As ever good to spend the afternoon with Pilsley and after a few weeks off from the climb up through the village it was time to return to base after a pleasant afternoon once again.

GRAHAM TURNER NO MESSING ABOUT TO GET PILSLEY TO THE TARGET