Timperley vs. Middlewich (From Messenger Newspapers)

Timperley vs. Middlewich

11:56am Tuesday 1st May 2012 in Sport

AFTER the first week washout, Timperley CC 1st XI were beaten by 39 runs hosting Middlewich in their first league game for the 2012 season.

Though it had been raining all week, the pitch was good enough state for the game to proceed at the usual time and have a full 50 over match played on it.

Timperley won the toss and elected to bowl first to try to use the pitch to their advantage. Two early wickets from Craig Grindley (1-17 off 9 overs) and Chris Page (1-36 off 9) put Timperley into a commanding early position at 2 for 2.

However, as Middlewich batsmen James Cornford (37) and Rob Cook-Sievewright (37) started to settle in at the crease, Timperley’s momentum was checked.

Timperley’s bowlers Ian Grindley (3-53 off 20) and Mark Maddocks (2-45 off 16) put pressure on the Middlewich batsmen but they worked their way to 155 for 7, a good score in the conditions.

Timperley’s openers Craig Grindley (5) and Nathan Wood (12) got off to a good start, but fell in quick succession to leave Timperley 21-2. A good partnership ensued with top run scorer Mike Ness (26) and Richard Nicholson (14) putting on 42.

Again, however, two quick wickets fell and saw two new batsmen to the crease at the middle stages of the innings. Middlewich kept applying pressure and Timperley lost wickets regularly through their innings as they were brought to 97 for 9 with 10 overs to go.

Some patient batting from Chris Page (10 not out) and Mark Maddocks (14) saw Timperley through to the 49th over and a draw was just an over away. But as Steven Parry (3-39 off 13) finally got the last wicket, Middlewich had taken the victory. From this game, Timperley came away with just 3 points and Middlewich with 25.

The game was played in good sporting spirit as both teams put aside the fact that the wicket was a batsmen’s nightmare and got on with the game, even though the wicket was a factor in some of the dismissals.

Timperley plays away from home next Saturday to face Warrington 1st XI.