Six of the Best from Bobby!
The day started when captain Liam won the toss and decided to have bat first. Chris Royle and Steve McManus opened the batting and got us off to a brilliant start bringing up 50 partnership after just 8.2 overs. 2 Balls later Chris (25) fell and Owen Hogben came in with Clifton 50-1. Shortly after Steve (24) was caught just like Chris and both the openers were out and Clifton were 55-2. Jordy joined Owen at the crease and they batted really well together making a partnership worth 68 until Jordy (35) smashed one at extra cover and another Clifton player was caught out. Sam then wandered to the crease with a new bat in hand and got off the mark with a 6! Safe to say he likes his new bat. Owen and Sam got to drinks with Clifton 130-3 and looking in a good position with wickets in the bag. A few overs after Owen had to go after top edging the ball into the air and picking out the man perfectly for a well-made 37. Liam joined Sam at the crease and they were both looking to increase the rate and get Clifton up to a good score. Sam (26) then chased a wide one and once again a Clifton batsman was caught leaving Clifton 173-5. Tom (8) and Liam (32) put on a partnership worth 28 until they both fell in quick succession leaving Clifton 210-7. AJ (9*) and Hiruka (9*) batted the overs out for Clifton running really well and even getting an all run 4 to a ball that didn’t even leave the ring.
An innings with no real stand out batsmen but some decent partnerships meant Clifton got to 225 losing 7 wickets and all 7-batsman falling to catches in the field.
Onto the bowling and as usual Rob and Tom opened up with Rob taking first over and it probably being one he will want to forget even though it only went for one run. Clifton and Tom eventually picked up their first wicket when the batsman nicked off to Jordy at 2nd slip a ball after tom had said he didn't need 2 slips (which he clearly did). The next over Rob was back to his usual self-picking up 2 wickets in back-to-back balls leaving himself on for a Hatrick in the following over which unfortunately didn't happen however Rob did manage to pick up his 3rd of the day with a great catch from AJ and the visitors had collapsed from 37-1 to 37-4. Captain Liam came on for Tom who finished with figures 24-2 from his 5 overs. Liam got a wicket with only his second ball and the visitors looked in big trouble. Rob then got 2 wickets in 3 balls this time picking up 5! but he wasn't done there as an over later he got his 6th of the day and Clifton had the visitors all but done at 58-9. Shortly after Captain Liam picked up the last wicket of the day and the visitors were bowled out for 59. Liam finished with figures of 2/4 from his 2.5 overs. And Rob by far the best of the 3 bowlers ended up with figures off 6/31 from his 8 overs.
The 2s now turn their focus to a big weekend ahead with a league game on the Saturday but more importantly a CUP FINAL AT CLIFTON on the Sunday!