Clifton 2s Dismantle Little Hulton 1s to Stay Top
Manchester Road welcomed Little Hulton’s 1st XI, hoping that this season’s fixture would be a different result, as the men from LH turned over the 2nd XI with a century and a half century from two of their top order to dent last year’s promotion hopes. With the 2nd XI sitting pretty at the top of the table, this was an ideal opportunity to right that.
With a cup quarter final the following day, Rob Meredith decided to rest up and save himself, with the challenge of opening the bowling up the hill handed to Dan Jones, partnering the usual Tom Worthington from the top end.
With a maiden each to start the innings, they were soon into the wickets, with Tom taking 2 scalps in his second over, including the dangerous Harrison Calvert with a catch from stand-in keeper, Owen Hogben. The other opener was run out following a suicidal single, before Dan Jones cleaned up last year’s centurion who only managed 4 off 15 this time around.
At 26/4 after 12 overs, things were looking ominous for the visitors.
Jordy came into the attack and took 3-14 from his spell, with Lewis also picking up 1-20 from his spell of 6 overs, before Ethan Kite cleaned them up with 2-0 off the only over her bowled. That’s now 4 wickets for no runs in the last 9 balls Ethan has bowled in the 2nd team. A destroyer of the tail.
A total of 70 to win was never going to cause this batting line up any issues, and so it proved. It was knocked off in 17 overs, with a solid 19 for Ethan Kite and a dominating 54 off 46 from Sam Winstanley, who has found a new lease of life with the bat in recent weeks, posting his second half century in quick succession. Just like buses….
Another week passes and another example that this Clifton 2nd XI should be competing in a much higher division to really push and develop the younger lads in this squad, as they’re sweeping all before them this season with the minimum of fuss. That’s now 17pts clear, and it will take something drastic to prevent them finishing the season as champions.