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Visser magic moves
Matlock closer to promotion
Saturday, 5 September, 2009

Matlock C.C 1st XI 215 for 7 (27 points)
Rolleston C.C 1st XI 155 All Out (5 points)

For the supporters travelling to Rolleston on Saturday, little did they realise that for most of what was a very ordinary game, they were to witness a truly incredible finish to a game that will undoubtedly go down as on of the finest in the history of Matlock Cricket Club.

Needing to maintain their current promotion place in Division 1, skipper Steve Pell won the toss and understandably elected to bat and they were given an excellent start by openers Derek Randall (43) and Christoff Visser (39) in a stand of 83 in 21 overs.

From a position of 83 for 0 soon became 105 for 4 as both openers were dismissed within the space of 9 runs, quickly followed by Caleb Mierkalns, run out without facing a ball and Pell caught behind by one that rose on him. George Moulds was however batting extremely well and in commanding form as together with Adam Burton (13) they put on 71 runs for the fifth wicket, followed by a seventh wicket stand of 34 with Jonathan Stapleton (17). Moulds played by far his best innings for Matlock finishing with 82 not out as they ended on 215 for 7 after 50 overs. For the hosts J. Thompson (2 for 46), M. James (2 for 62), L. Nelson (1 for 37) and G. Dent (1 for 63) all enjoyed varying degrees of success.

Rolleston in reply lost their first wicket on 19 and with everyone thinking the floodgates might open, did not happen as a stubborn 2nd wicket partnership between G. Marshall (29) and P. Allen (54) threatened to deny Matlock any chance of winning. Allen batted well but when he was 5th out with the score on 122 the game was already grinding to a disappointing draw, indeed with the score on only 146 for 5 at the end of the 46th over the Matlock faithful were already calculating the points for a winning draw.

Then it all happened, as in true pantomime fashion someone rubbed the lamp, the genie appeared in the form of South African Christoff Visser and Matlock were granted their wish of a win and 27 valuable points.

In the space of only 8 devastating balls Visser took 5 wickets (including a hat-trick) at a cost of only 1 run to wrap up the game. With the last ball of the 47th over he had M. Ford well caught by Stapleton in the gully and with the first two balls of his last over he cleaned bowled Colley and Nelson, going on to dismiss Dent and Thompson with the last two balls of the same over, to send his team mates and supporters into rapturous acclaim. Visser finished with 5 for 38, supported by Moulds (3 for 40), Adam Burton (1 for 23) and it was good to see Eddie Lowe back bowling after a long lay-off through injury as he took (1 for 16) from 5 good overs.

With Matlock winning and both Ticknall and Denby losing this puts Matlock 28 points ahead of 3rd placed Ticknall going into the final weekend, when they visit Denby on Saturday and entertain Ticknall on Sunday in what promises to be a tough but memorable end to the season.

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