BIG HITTING TURNER IN A RUSH AS PILSLEY STAY TOP

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 152 FOR 2 BAKEWELL 150 ALL OUT

DCCL DIVISION SEVEN NORTH AT RUPERT ST

3 SEPTEMBER 2022 --- 1PM 

GRAHAM TURNER 68* IN VICTORY FOR PILSLEY V BAKEWELL

A commanding innings from Pilsley and Clay Cross's Graham Turner saw them race over the line to victory by eight wickets with just 24  of their overs used.  The victory and resulting 27 points keeps the Rupert St side top of the DCCL Division 7 North table but with just ten points separating the top four who all player one another next weekend Pilsley for now sit in the driving seat.

KYLE BUTTERWORTH OPENS THE BOWLING WITH BOWERS FOR PILSLEY

Including this weekend there are just three games to go for both of my 'adopted' clubs this season and every time I look at a change of sport I further delay the start of the football so much have I enjoyed the cricket this season backed up of course by great weather that so far as not seen a curtailed or non starting fixture and the welcome from both clubs too.

Today is a clash of cultures game with the tough old streets of Pilsley and Clay Cross taking on the sophisticated peak district town of Bakewell, this was non more so backed up at the tea interval when the obligatory pit canteen walk had me smiling at a local moped rider belting round the streets in a crash helmet topped of by a Pikachu covering, now you wouldn't get that in Bakewell just a few tasty puddings maybe.  

Joking aside the cricket today as most Saturday's was played in a very friendly and hospitable nature and the Bakewell lads take their share of credit for that too.

MARTIN JACKSON EDGES BOWERS TO IAN KNOWLES

With an early start of 1pm to be aware of today it was a twenty minute earlier start on the climb to the borders of Lower Pilsley to the villages sports ground.  The forecast had been for rain showers but this seemed to change to a dry afternoon and bar from a little light in the air rain the afternoon would pass again without weather related incident.  

CAPATAIN TRISTAN BOWERS RECEIVES WICKET TAKING CONGRATULATIONS AS HE TAKES FOUR TODAY

It was Bakewell who won the toss and elected to have a bat, it always amazes me how cricket has changed in that a lovely setting in towns like todays visitors and Buxton are languishing in the lower reaches of the county league but credit to the current incumbents for protecting the club by continuing the long tradition.

FOUR WICKETS FOR GARETH HATTON

The visitors got off to a fairly pacey start but lost their first wicket at 41 that being Jacob Madin [13] who was lbw to captain Tristan Bowers the first of his four wickets.  New batsman Martin Jackson survived a big shout for lbw from the next ball but Bowers had him caught behind by Ian Knowles on the delivery after.  Bowers continued in sparking form removing the top four of the visitors line up and even though there was brief respite from Jeff Madin [29] and David Creamer [25] they would fall to Gareth Hatton and Bradley Garfoot respectively.  Hatton took the first of his four wicket in that little sequence and he wrapped up the Bakewell innings with the third ball in over number 35 when Steve Swift was caught by Garfoot for a duck.

Bowers finished with 4 for 30 and Hatton 4 for 34 as Pilsley needed 151 to win.

SEPTEMBER SKIES BECOMING LESS BLUE

The obligatory walk seemed to take no longer than normal but as soon as the return was made Bakewell were eagerly out in the middle awaiting the arrival of the Pilsley opening batsman Ian Knowles and Jack Warsop.

BRADLEY GARFOOT FROM THE VILLAGE END OR BUILDING SITE END

They got off to a confident start before Warsop[20] was deceived by a slower delivery from Richard Reed and the bails were dislodged.  Tom Hewiit[13] replaced him but fell with the score on 65 to a catch by Craig Dawson off a wide full toss from Gopal Oliver bowling in Geoff Boycott reverse cap mode, style.

GARFOOT RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS FOR HIS WICKET FROM GARETH HATTON

Enter Graham Turner who anybody of my age can only ever think of as the former long serving Shrewsbury Town manager followed of course by spells in charge at Wolves and Aston Villa, anyway this Graham is no less commanding.  Turner [68*] is in some fine big hitting form and came in with his mindset of not to just cruise over the line but smash the ball over the line and to all parts of the ground, it really was a swashbuckling innings that saw Pilsley race to their target.  The glue in the chase holding it all together was a secure knock from wicket keeper Knowles [41*].

QUICK FIRE 20 FROM BIG HTTING OPENER JACK WARSOP TODAY

Pilsley are in a fine seam of form at the moment and for the sake of cricket the weather needs to hold for the challenging clubs to secure their end positions by their endeavours on the field of play.  

As ever a pleasure to attend a Pilsley game and for now the cricket continues well into the first few weeks of the football season.

GRAHAM TURNER GETS ONE AWAY THROUGH THE COVERS