PILSLEY LEAPFROG DUFFIELD TO GO SECOND

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 169 FOR 6 DUFFIELD 3S 168 FOR 9

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE 6 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

17 JUNE 2023 --- 1PM

JAMES ALDIS SOLID BASE FOR PILSLEY TO SECURE A WIN

Pilsley and Clay Cross needed determination and hard work to beat Duffield in a tight encounter that saw the home side put their recent week stumble behind them as they returned to winning ways and a top two spot that had welcomed them in the opening weeks on their return to this division.

THE SCENIC ONE WITH NORTH WINGFIELD CHURCH IN VIEW RUSSELL KING ON HIS WAY TO A TOP SCORE OF 71

Firstly it was great to return to some sport after an enforced break that had seen no sport never mind pics/blog.  Today would see a return to one of the 'locals' at Pilsley and along with Grassmoor, who I hope to get to when they are next at home all things being equal.  Arrival was a similar route but this time by taxi, put it on the expenses, and just a few overs into play with new seat pitched we were ready for some summer sport.

CAPTAIN BOWERS BOWLING WITH DUFFIELD TOP SCORER RUSSELL KING AT THE NON STRIKERS END

I say summer sport but from somewhere on a bright sunny day there was for two hours a constant amount of albeit wet stuff coming out of the sky, not enough to be noticeable to most on this warm afternoon but enough for constant camera lens cleaning.  So much so that in the end I zipped up the bag regularly to then just watch the game, thankfully by the second innings the sun had come out to play but so too had my hay fever.

CHARLIE JOHNSON FROM THE PARKHOUSE END

A steady score of 168 was posted by visitors Duffield that owed so much to number three Russell King [71] with support from Harry Fearnehough [16] and Ian Bowyer [20] the former skying a short ball from Charlie Johnson which the delivery raced through to claim with Bowyer bowled by Gareth Hatton with the last ball of the 27th.  Two other players made double figures Will Clare [10] who again skied one from Hatton and was snapped up by Andrew Parker and there was a defiant flurry from Max Patterson [21*] at the end.  

GARETH HATTON AND IAN WORTHY

From a Pilsley front this was an acceptable target after a strong performance from the bowlers attached to some sharp ground fielding including a couple of super cover field stops from Pete Lacey, on the downside proceedings may have been over earlier with a a few early dropped catches that would have been stunners had they stuck.  There was a wicket apiece for openers Tristan Bowers and James Aldis along with first changes Ian Worthy and Charlie Johnson.  Pick of the bunch though was the ever effervescent Gareth Hatton who bagged four from his ten overs.

IAN WORTHY WALKS BACK TO HIS MARK

For a change the tea break was taken at the ground in the company of the now increasingly strong sun as we awaited the Pilsley reply.  Also of note this season is the live scoring of which thanks to Steven Horsley it makes the game much more interesting and adds an extra touch to the club.

GARETH HATTON OFFERS UP HIS THOUGHTS

Openers Pete Lacey and Ian Knowles came out to start the reply and the latter was in 'bazball' mode the current philosophy of the England side as they crashed 29 off the opening three overs.  Lacey [4] went with the score on 31 which brought Aldis [39] to the crease who again providied a solid base for this win but it was proving harder that may have been expected non more so with the threat of Niall Watson who was a threat through his ten overs.  Amazingly he somehow remained wicket less but conceded just 28 runs, alongside Patterson [1 for 39] they were a constant threat as they secured their line and length to add to their pace. when Aldis fell it was 110 for 3 off the last ball of the 23rd it did appear that Pilsley were on their was to the win.  But it remained a tight game scoring wise and with Parker [16] from 65 balls enforcing the argument, he had been joined by captain Bowers [30] who guided the home side nearer to the target. Parker fell with the score on 139 in over 33,.  His replacement Johnson [3] went back with 151 on the board and within four balls the captain fell to Adil Ahmed caught by Max Patterson.

Ian Worthy [4] and Shaun Fisher [12] saw it through with no more scares in over 39 to secure to 22 points.

GARETH HATTON ITS ALL ABOUT THE EXPRESSION

Nice to be back watching some of the 'beautiful game' and catch up with some of the players, hopefully summer as started roll on some dry weather.

PILSLEY OPENER IAN KNOWLES