3XI – HODSON CUP PROGRESS

Wednesday May 6th 2009 | Cricket

With a place in the Semi Finals of the Hodson Cup at stake the third team stepped up to the plate with an emphatic 67 run victory over Failsworth Macedonia at the Holt Lane Ground.

For the second week in succession stand in skipper Damon Monty lost the toss and the 3s were put in to bat on what can only be described as a grassless MUD Track.

The youthful pairing of Adam Cheshire and James Wharmby opened the batting on a very unforgiving, slow strip and put on 54 for the first wicket before James slotted a loose shot back to the bowler. In came Mike Magnall and lasted 2 balls before being bowled without troubling Megan in the scorers Box.

Damon then came at 4 and the pair quickly pushed the total onto 117 before Cheshire faultless to this point held out at Mid Off for 57. Enter the beast Walsh to blister 43 from 40 balls. Once Damon (37) fell caught and bowled with score on 134-4, the sloppy run out of Tom Ward (5) quickly followed and brought to the crease A. Jones.

For the second week in succession the natural Athlete that is Andy Jones slipped half way down the track trying to take a quick single and rolled back to just place his hand beyond the line for a not out decision Class!! A dramatic collapse followed (172-10) and 173 was the target for Failsworth to win.

In reply Failsworth never got going out of the gate and certainly didn’t threaten the Prestwich total. Nick Carter and John (Cheese) Kerambrum opened the bowling and ripped 3 out early wickets to put the home side firmly on the back foot 28-3.

With the score stalled at 45-4 step up to the attack Joe Walmsley who set about removing the remaining Failsworth line up starting with only his second ball. Joe returning figures of 7-2-22-4 a four wicket haul for the second week in a row. Aided at the other end with spin from Damon Failsworth finally fell All Out for 105.

The thirds can now look forward to another Semi Final. Can they go one stage further than last year?