Match Report

The firsts took advantage of a couple of absentees in the Denton West ranks, to pick up a much needed six point maximum on Saturday, which dragged the side out of the bottom three and into mid table.

After inserting the visitors, an injury free Dan Higham drew first blood with only two on the board, opening up the way for Ollie Sleight to prize out two more quick wickets with only 27 on the board. A couple of nagging partnerships ensued, before Finn Testa got into his stride and produced a fine spell that saw him reel in five wickets for 33 runs, leaving the visitors struggling on 114-9. The Clifton faithful were then, once again, left biting their nails as yet another last wicket partnership threatened to spoil the party. On this occasion, thirty three were added before Ben Hamilton found the edge and the innings closed on 147.

It was an understandably nervous start to the second innings as Jack Stanley went early and Zach and Sam followed after a flourish from Zach had eased the nerves to some extent. The third wicket fell with 100 still needed and rain on the horizon, but Matt and Ben settled well to the task and saw the game home with the bonus point secured with scores of 50 not out and 42 not out respectively.

With the early season failures in the middle and late orders seemingly behind us, hopefully the side will now have the confidence to continue to move in the right direction after this win and the GMCL20 demolition of Roe Green in midweek.

Pictured: Finn bowled an excellent spell

Pictured: Max carves a boundary on his way to 50