Matlock Cricket Club

matlock cricket club

Designed and created by
RobertsonMedia.co.uk

Reports from senior games, click on headlines

Matlock make opponents green with envy
Saturday, 25 July, 2009

Clay Cross C.C 1st XI 67 all out (2 points)
Matlock C.C 1st XI 70 for 5 (22 points)

Matlock made the short journey to the historic old mining town of Clay Cross on Saturday, were it could be said they had to dig deep to come away with the 22 points after bowling the home side out for just 67 runs.

On probably the greenest wicket ever see in Division One, and where it was difficult to distinguish from the out field, the visitors were fortunate to win the toss and asked the home side to battle first.

Now the Matlock bowlers are renowned for being a handful on a good wicket, but here with the ball swinging, seeming and lifting at an almighty rate they were virtually unplayable. Christoff Visser (4-19) from 13 overs, Gareth Johnson (4-24) from 12 overs, Adam Burton (1-14) from 11 overs and George Moulds (1-5) from two overs, completely dominate proceedings as only three boundaries were scored in their all out total of 67 runs in 39 overs.

For the home side A Eyre, P Ghadiali and C Fletcher all score 13 runs each but the rest of the side could only muster 28 runs between them.

At the interval Matlock suspected their task was not going to be easy on this wicket and their suspicions were soon confirmed as openers Visser and Derek Randell were both out lbw, quickly to be followed by Andy Rogers, well caught by Ghadiali in the gully, and skipper Steve Pell lbw to the first ball he received to leave Matlock at 19 for 4 and the game swinging towards the home side.

Standing firm and resolute, however, was number three batsman George Moulds who was to go on to play a most important innings as he defied the Clay Cross bowlers to remain undefeated on 22 not out and to see Matlock through to a very welcomed 22 points.

In his quest for victory, Moulds received vital support in the form of Adam Burton (11) and Gareth Johnson (12 not out) as the victory recorded the double over Clay Cross this season.

Making them fight were Clay Cross bowlers J Branston (3-14), A Ogden (1-12) and R Subasinghe (1-26).

Third in the league Clay Cross came into this game on the back of six successive victories, but the depth of determination by Matlock and Moulds in particular extinguished the chance of them making it seven.

It was good to see a most determined effort by the Matlock boys with good performances in the field by Eddy Lowe, Andy Rogers and the mercurial Derek Randall, which all led this to an excellent win by Matlock and one which sets them up for a double header next weekend, when they entertain Staveley on Saturday and Swarkestone on Sunday.

Peter Stapleton
01773834130 .

Any queries relating to senior teams we will endeavour to answer your queries quickly via e-mail seniorplayers@matlockcricketclub.com