Clifton 1st XI suffered another agonisingly close defeat onSaturday, falling just four runs short in a thrilling run chase away at Monton.After the narrow defeat at Denton West, it was a frustratingly familiar storyfor Clifton, who once again fought their way into a position from which thegame could have been won.
Batting first, Monton posted 211-9 from their 50 overs. Cliftonmade a good start with the ball. Oliver Sleight removed Will Helmke for 10before Gareth Cross dismissed Tom Willoughby for two, leaving the hosts 32-2. Monton'sinnings was then rebuilt by Jordan Stephens and professional TharushanIddamalgoda, who put together a crucial 95-run partnership for the third wicket.Stephens played the anchor role with 41 from 104 balls, while Iddamalgodaprovided the impetus with an excellent 83 from 100 deliveries.
Ben Hamilton eventually broke the partnership by removingStephens and followed it up just three balls later with the wicket of JakeSandham. Iddamalgoda continued alongside Joshua Lenihan, whose 31 helped Montonpush towards 200, before Clifton finished the innings strongly.
Hamilton was once again the standout with the ball, takingan excellent 5-58 from his 15 overs, his second five-wicket haul in successivematches. Cross returned 3-49 from 15, while Sleight bowled particularlyeconomically for 1-41 from 15 overs, including three maidens.
Monton eventually closed on 211-9, leaving Clifton needing212 for victory.
The reply could hardly have started worse. Stephen McManusdeparted in the opening over before Gareth Cross and Sam Dorsey followed,leaving Clifton struggling at 37-3.
But Caleb Donaldson and Joe Settle refused to let the gameget away. The pair produced a superb recovery, adding 102 for the fourth wicketand gradually putting Clifton right back into the contest. Donaldson struckeight boundaries in a patient 66 from 121 balls, while Settle continued toaccumulate at the other end. Donaldson's dismissal at 139-4 was followed by thewickets of Joe McCann and Praharsh Parikh, and at 147-6 Clifton once again hadplenty of work to do.
Ben Hamilton then continued his excellent recent form,following his five wickets with a valuable 25 from 26 balls. His partnershipwith Settle took Clifton to 181 and kept the chase alive. Zach Flaxman addednine, including a six, as the target edged ever closer.
With the game going deep into the final over, Clifton werestill fighting. Oliver Sleight was run out for three with the score on 206, butSettle remained at the crease with victory tantalisingly close. Unfortunately,there was to be no fairytale finish.
Settle's excellent innings finally came to an end for 58from 101 balls with Clifton on 207, just five runs short of their target andwith only two deliveries remaining.
Monton 211-9 beat Clifton 207 all out by four runs.
It was another incredibly tough result to take. For thesecond successive game Clifton had pushed their opponents all the way, only tocome out on the wrong side of a result that could easily have gone the otherway.
There were again plenty of positives: another five-wickethaul for Hamilton, excellent control from Cross and Sleight, Donaldson'sdetermined 66 and Settle's superb effort to take the chase into the final over.But ultimately it was another case of so near, yet so far.
The lads will dust themselves down and go again, knowingthat performances are not far away from being turned into results.