Match Report

The seconds edged a nervy game on Saturday at Westleigh in an incident packed game. Despite dropping no fewer than six catches and conceding ten sixes to two, Dorsey's youngsters ground out an eighteen run victory that leaves them two points behind leaders Blackley. 

Batting first, Steve Mac (Pictured) and Jordy Higham both scored half centuries in the sweltering heat, with the latter doing so despite receiving a shiner after being struck above the right eye when attempting a pull shot. Ethan Kite (26) and Macca put on 91 for the first wicket, but, apart from Jordy, the rest failed to capitalise with only Owen Hoggers (13) reaching double figures in a total of 213 which was a tad disappointing given the start. The hosts then produced a decent start of their own, as some buffet bowling saw 34 runs piled on in the opening three overs before Sam Winstanley took a smart catch to end the partnership. This applied the brakes with only seven runs coming from the next five overs as the second wicket partnership developed. Two wickets then fell on 55, the first after a spectacular piece of fielding by Owen Hogben, that stood out like a beacon against the rest of the fielding on the day and the second in Liam Dorsey's first over. With the troops breathing a little more easily, back came Westleigh with a fifty partnership at a run a ball before Owen made a difficult, over the shoulder, caught and bowled chance look easy, with the score on 107 in the 21st over. Further partnerships came and went as the introduction of Jordy swung the game back in his team's favour.  This heralded another twist in the game as a new batsman badly twisted his knee whilst attempting to launch a ball into the middle of next week  and, despite bravely trying to continue, had to be helped off a ball later. Then, over thirty two changed the game again as Owen saw four huge sixes sail over his head into the canal with 25 conceded from the over. Lewis replaced Owen but he promptly went for fifteen in his first over. However, Jordy was chipping away at the other end and his third wicket saw the hosts needing just 20 off 12 overs, but with eight wickets down. After Lewis had the Westleigh top scorer smartly stumped, Jordy polished off the last man and the hosts fell just short of victory with almost ten overs to spare, with the bruised man of the match finishing with 4-32 off 9.4 overs.