Monton and Weaste gained revenge from being bowled all out for 38 earlier on in the season on Saturday as they clinically defeated the Moonrakers by nine wickets in the Central Lancashire League.
In another rain affected game, both sides were permitted just 25 overs each.
Middleton were without a professional – Ken Skewes still out after injuring himself during the previous evening’s Twenty20 Cup warm up. Matthew Foden, who has been impressing in the second and third teams, was called up to make his first team debut.
Steve Davey won the toss and decided to bat first. However, his side didn’t get off the best of starts.
Davey himself and Jim Ryan went early on, both to the bowling of Monton and Weaste skipper Trent Scott.
The returning Scott Stanworth and Grant Jones then put together the Moonrakers’ best partnership with a stand of 45 runs in just 30 minutes.
Stanworth was looking good: keeping the scoreboard ticking over nicely in a 60-ball knock of 45 in what was a welcome return. Jones too was looking good, scoring 19 in just 24 balls.
However, Jones fell with the total on 70 – caught by Paul Green from the bowling of Indian professional Bandara. Stuart Fitton and Stanworth then added a run-a-minute 31 before the young wicketkeeper fell after shouldering arms to a ball that spun back and clean bowled him.
With overs running out, the Moonrakers continued to be positive with Fitton (23 from 31 deliveries) and Danny Core (11 from 14) both making late contributions.
In the end Middleton finished on 132 for six from their 25 overs with Stanworth’s return being the highlight. Bandara was the pick of the Monton and Weaste bowling with four for 41 from 10 overs.
Middleton struck early in the visitors reply. Raz Hussain, who was opening the attack in the absence of the injured Rick Valentine, had Chris Costa caught behind for nine with the total on 23.
However, that was the limit of Middleton’s success as Green and Scott both scored 57 not out to see the visitors hoe in 21 overs.
The spin twins Dale Highton (0 for 47) and Core 0 for 40) weren’t as successful as last week at Radcliffe, whereas Phil Tomlinson looked a bit rusty after his two-week return.
Despite this setback, Middleton can bounce back next weekend with the visit of Crompton on Saturday and the derby-day trip to Heywood on Sunday.
Middleton
S Stanworth+ b Bandara 45
S Davey* c Hindle b Scott 2
J Ryan LBW b Scott 4
G Jones c Green b Bandara 19
S Fitton b Bandara 23
D Core st Hindle b Bandara 11
G Hughes not out 3
R Hussain not out 3
Extras: 22
Total: (for 6 wickets) 132
Bowling: T Scott 5-0-25-2; D Collins 4-0-23-0; M Bandara 10-0-41-4; A Gorsi 6-0-40-0
Monton & Weaste
C Costa c Stanworth b Hussain 9
P Green not out 57
T Scott* not out 57
Extras: 12
Total: (for 1 wicket) 135
Bowling: P Tomlinson 5-0-28-0; R Hussain 4-0-19-1; D Highton 6-0-47-0; D Core 6-0-40-0
Monton & Weaste (5 points) defeated Middleton (0 points) by 9 wickets.
Welbeck Road was the scene of one of the most exciting games of second team cricket this year. Chasing 138 off 46 overs, the Middleton side crumbled from 96 for three to 128 for nine. And it was the experience of Sam Warren that guided his team home.
The day had started off so well, opening bowlers Mark Buckley and Danny Royle did not allow their Monton counterparts hit the ball off the square, and because of this when the pair of opening bowlers were taken off in the 20th over, Monton had scored 29 without loss.
Pressure was building and wickets fell. Both openers fell victim to Tom Currie, Jatala (nine off 82 deliveries) and Paul Hammersly (20 of 56 deliveries). The only batter to put up some resistance after that was captain Allan Marsh (46), but other than that the bowlers were on top as they ripped through the tail.
The reply started slowly and Middleton's captain continued his poor patch with the bat as he was caught at mid off of Dev Kumar for eight.
Matt Lee and George Walker were looking solid, giving no chances until both walked down the track to Jatala and were stumped by Hammersly. Batsmen got into double figures but the damp pitch became their undoing, as they mistimed shot straight into fielders hands.
Marvyn Dickinson (15), Mark Buckley (19), Danny Royle (2) and Pete Baxter (20) all tried doing their best to steer their team to victory but they all fell short and it was only Sam Warren (13 not out) who was there at the end helping the youth win the game and take a 1 wicket victory
Monton and Weaste - 138 for 9 (A Marsh 46, D Royle 4 for 32)
Middleton - 139 for 9 (G Walker 28, J Pemberton 3 for 33)
Middleton (4 points) defeated Monton and Weaste (1 point) by 1 wicket
Reports in conjunction with Middletoncc.co.uk
