Middleton picked up a welcome five-point haul at Radcliffe in the Central Lancashire League on Saturday.
Buoyed on by the previous evening’s last-gasp victory against Heywood in the Twenty20, the Moonrakers were not to disappoint as spin twins Dale Highton and Daniel Core ripped through the home side, claiming nine wickets between them to set up a clinical and professional 88 run victory.
Skipper Steve Davey, back after missing the Heywood clash, won the toss and elected to bat first in glorious sunshine.
The Moonrakers got off to a solid start as the big left-hander and professional Ken Skewes put on 49 in 10 overs. Davey played a steady innings compared to Skewes, but was rewarded with some fine boundaries to anything over pitched. However, the captain was dubiously adjudged leg before wicket from Radcliffe professional Usman Tariq for a 38-ball 20.
Skewes continued his positive approach before the visitors endured a mini collapse.
Jimmy Ryan’s slow period continued as he made just four, while in-form Grant Jones mustered nine before he was clean bowled with the score on 89. It soon became 94 for 4 when Skewes was bowled by Saiyed (4 for 72) for 40.
A potentially sticky situation was quickly eradicated as Stuart Fitton and Core played positively but sensibly to get the innings back on track. Pushing for singles, and running the home side ragged, the pair put on 40 for the fifth wicket in just eight overs.
Core went leg before wicket for 15, but Gareth Hughes continued the positive approach with Fitton and again another partnership progressed. The duo hit clinically and added 44 in seven overs to take the Moonrakers up to 186.
Although Fitton was eventually out, his run-a-ball 38 had enabled Middleton to gain a foothold and, having been ably supported by both Core and Hughes, put the score up to a competitive target in what was a great comeback from the visitors.
The Radcliffe reply depended on one man: Pakistan professional Usman Tariq. Last years’ leading run scorer, the Moonrakers knew of his powers – in 2008’s corresponding fixture he scored a mammoth 153.
In the absence of Phil Tomlinson and Rick Valentine, Hughes and Core opened up and almost immediately got the breakthrough they wanted: in the sixth over Tariq holed out to the ultra-safe hands of Skewes. 24 for one and Radcliffe’s main hope gone.
After that, Radcliffe lost regular wickets as Core and the impressive Highton bowled 28 overs between them, picking away at the home side’s line up.
Middleton held their catches well: George Walker, Raz Hussain and two for Grant Jones meant Radcliffe were never in the hunt. The final wicket, a run out, occurred with the score on 98 – meaning the Moonrakers sailed home by the impressive margin of 88 runs and most importantly taking home all five points.
Core finished with 5 for 47 and Highton 4 for 31 as the off spinner and slow left armer fully complemented the fine batting display in preparation for Saturday’s visit of Monton and Weaste.
Reports in conjunction with Middletoncc.co.uk .
