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1st XI dominate league leaders
Sunday, 8 August, 2009

Elvaston C.C 1st XI 140 for 7 (5 points)
Matlock C.C 1st XI 242 for 7 (19 points)

Matlock visited league leaders Elvaston on Saturday and in this eagerly awaited top of the table clash, from the moment they stepped out on the turf until the last ball was bowled, Matlock completely dominated proceedings and strangled all life out of the home side.

The home side won the toss and asked Matlock to bat, and they could do nothing but watch and admire as a back to form Derek Randall (62) and South African Christoff Visser (54) figured in a superb opening partnership of 118 in 26 overs. George Moulds (28) and Caleb Mierkalns (22) continued the momentum until a score of 177 for 3 soon became 192 for 7 as Andy Rogers, Steve Pell and Eddie Lowe decided not to hang around too long for fear of getting sunstroke as they scored just 2 runs between them, to leave Matlock wondering if they could reach 200.

They need not have worried however as a sensible and mature eighth wicket unbroken stand of 50 between Martin Leatherday (28 not out) and Jonathan Stapleton (19 not out) enabled them to finish on 242 for 7 at the end of 50 overs.

For the home side K. Callaghan (4 for 22) was by far the pick of their bowlers, with R. Kettlewell (1 for 74) and P. Birch (1 for 20) in support. Ê Whereas the Matlock total was challenging, it should not have been out of reach for a strong batting line up of Elvaston, particularly as Matlock were without Strike bowler Adam Burton (back injury) and Gareth Johnson (family wedding), but the consistent Visser soon had the home side at 28 for 3 and in deep trouble.

The probing and accurate nature of Matlock's attack gave the home side no chance and at the halfway stage they had scored just 65 runs and the required run-rate increasing significantly. Eddie Lander then weighed in with the important wickets of B. Crichton (25) and P. Birch (1) and although S. Cusden batted for 3 hours and 43 overs for his 52, before R. Kettlewell (24 not out) struck a few lusty blows at the end, they were out of their depth against the accuracy of the visiting bowlers.

Man of the Match Visser again bowled beautifully to finish with 4 for 24 form 15 overs, as did Eddie Lander with 2 for 27 from 7 overs, but mention must be made of the other 2 bowlers Steve Haslam and George Moulds, whilst not taking wickets, they did a very good job in tying the batsmen down.

The 19 points gained by Matlock was probably short of what they deserved, but it does keep them in second place in the league, as they now look forward to the visit of Tutbury to Causeway Lane on Saturday.

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