| MALLORCA MID-WEEK X1 OFF TO SHAKY START AGAINST WALESWOOD CC |
Posted by: wendypeters, on 14/03/2007, in category "Match Reports"
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MALLORCA MID-WEEK X1 OFF TO SHAKY START 14th MARCH 2007
Waleswood CC from Yorkshire began their first tour to Mallorca on Wednesday with a match played against Mallorca’s Mid-week X1 in subliminal conditions. They won the toss and elected to bat. Skipper Gareth Davis and Glen McKay started tentatively, until Davis got the measure of Appleby and proceeded to dispatch three consecutive deliveries to the boundary with panache. Meanwhile Heaton, bowling from the pavilion end, gave little quarter. The game had been in progress for close on half an hour when Waleswood’s skipper suddenly noticed that Mallorca had twelve men on the field!
The breakthrough for the homeside came in the fifteenth over when first change bowler Frazer bowled McKay for 16 with the score at 52. The tourists’ number three bat Daniel Spotwood immediately impressed; off the mark with a fine shot to boundary, and there was more to come from the youngster who, I was soon to learn, was celebrating his sixteenth birthday that very day. He and Davis shared an entertaining partnership of 57, the stylish Davis was one away from his deserved half century when Morris had him trapped LBW with the score at 109 off 24 overs. Mallorca’s fielding was pretty keen, with Burnett particularly sharp at mid wicket. Andy Alexander and Spotwood accelerated the pace, Alexander cracking a massive six as he and Spotwood pushed on; the youngster, belying his tender years, played a mature innings, and I was willing him to notch up his half century, however it was in Heaton’s second spell that he got an edge and ‘keeper Frazer held the catch to dismiss the birthday boy for 44. Now Alexander was in touching distance of his 50, but was denied when Heaton displayed a piece of magnificent fielding dexterity and The tourists’ score 149 for 3 off 30 overs. Alexander was run out on 42. Parker and Lomas took their side past the 200 mark, and Lomas in true sporting manner retired on 19 to give Simon Cope a bat in the final over. He and Parker finished on 5 and 27 respectively, with the final tally at 222 for 4 from their allotted 40 overs.
What ensued after tea put me into shock when the wickets began tumbling at an alarming rate; opening pair Eric George and Paul Heaton were soon split when, with just 15 on the board, Heaton was out to a catch by Alexander off Chris Spotwood for 1. Then in the blink of an eye George was caught behind by ‘keeper Parker off Cope for 9. ‘Kiwi’ Frazer failed to trouble the scorer in a carbon copy scenario, and with just four runs added to the paltry score Neil Cooke was also on his way back to the dressing room with three to his name. If I felt that I was in some kind of nightmare, who knows what Mallorca’s skipper Malcolm Leggett’s felt! Just when it seemed that Mallorca’s situation couldn’t possibly deteriorate further Chris Spotwood absolutely demolished Appleby’s wicket, bowling him ‘neck and crop’, as they say in my part of the world! The scoreboard was not an edifying sight, in fact David Hilton, dropping in to the ground after school was heard to utter, “What’s going on?” The scoreboard read: 21 for 5 from 10 overs.
Feeling ‘reet at home’ amongst his fellow Yorkshiremen Billy Morris settled in with Dylan George in an attempt at rescuing Mallorca’s desperate situation. It wasn’t always pretty, but the boys buckled down, forging a partnership of 49 thus bringing some semblance of order and credibility to Mallorca’s innings. Davis claimed George’s wicket in the 23rd over, out to a catch by Butler for 20 with the score at 70. Ken Fleming also fell victim to Davis’ left arm spin, out for 10. Morris, not renowned for his running ability, exerted himself in the course of duty, but was unjustly run out (‘in by a mile’) on 49. Umpire what were you thinking? If ever there was a lost cause, this was it. The homeside’s score stood at 87 for 7. Malcolm Leggett and Simon Burnett valiantly soldiered on, but there was little point; Harris claimed Leggett’s scalp, then Ley, on loan from Waleswood, strode on to the field amidst applause and a certain amount of barracking only to surprise his detractors by finishing unbeaten on 15. The final score was 146 for 9.
Waleswood’s bowlers returned impressive figures; Chris Spotwood 6 overs 1 maiden 2 for 9. Simon Cope 8 overs 1 maiden 2 for 16. Gareth Davis 6 overs 0 maidens 2 for 22.
After the game I spoke to twenty three year old Gareth Davis who played for Yorkshire before injury caused him to change tack. He is now employed by Sheffield Council coaching various sports to underprivileged children in order to get them fit for a better life. “The biggest problem is the parenting, persuading them to get involved in their children’s activities isn’t easy” remarked Gareth. The kids of Sheffield certainly have a great role model to emulate.
There’s more cricket on the agenda, TODAY FRIDAY Waleswood CC play Stony Stratford CC which should be an excellent game. SATURDAY Mallorca First X1 will be in action against Ramsay CC and SUNDAY Mallorca will play Stony Stratford with a celebratory barbecue after the match to mark Stony Stratford’s tenth tour to Mallorca. All the matches start at 1:00pm everybody is welcome, admission to the ground is free, excellent teas are served, and the bar will be open. Come along for a great afternoon’s entertainment.