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Matlock's winning draw against
promotion favourites
Saturday, 27 June, 2009

Matlock C.C 1st XI 291 for 7 (18 points)
Denby C.C 1st XI 252 for 8 (11 points)

On a hot sticky day Matlock entertain promotion favourites Denby at Causeway Lane on Saturday where the home side came out on top with a winning draw that moves them into the top 4 of Division 1.

Denby won the toss and asked Matlock to bat first and what happened inside the first ten overs Denby certainly hadn't envisaged. Opener Caleb Mierkalns played an innings that wouldn't have gone a miss in the recent Twenty20 World Cup. He smashed 9 sixes as he raced to an entertaining 65 before being caught behind in the 10th over.

This innings certainly gave Matlock a base to work from as they found themselves on 85 at the first wicket with 40 overs remaining. The Matlock batsmen continued to score freely without taking any risks and Mierkalns' opening partner Christoff Visser (96) played a sensible innings but failed just short of his maiden century, while George Moulds (38), Steve Pell (38) and Andy Rogers (11) all supported South African Visser as Matlock finished their innings on a impressive 291 for 7 from their 50 overs.

All the Denby bowlers toiled in the heat with S. Bullock (1 for 69) from his 15 overs being the most economical of the attack. Denby's reply started badly as they lost their first wicket for only 7 runs and with them needing 6 an over from the start this wasnÕt the start they had in mind.

It took a captains innings from J. Greenhalgh (64) and with useful partnerships from R. Perry-Taylor (51) and B. Perry-Taylor (40) that kept Denby in with shout and Matlock had to be on their toes. Once Greenhalgh departed the Denby middle order collapsed under the pressure as they lost 5 wickets for only 34 runs.

With Denby at 187 for 7 Matlock had a chance of claiming a full 27 points but S. Payne (31 not out) stood in their way as he saw his side to safety. The Matlock bowlers fought well to give themselves a chance of victory with George Moulds taking 4 for 69, Christoff Visser (2 for 59), Adam Burton (1 for 47) and Ed Lander (1 for 55).

This was an excellent all round performance from Matlock who have now not lost in the league since the opening day of the season. Their attentions now switch to Sunday's Cup Quarter-Final match against Ticknall who they also play in the league the following Saturday away from home.

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