Match Report

First XI vs Winnington

Slow go area...

Hale Barns were battered at home by bottom of the table Winnington Park on a wicket with less pace than Mick Quinn after being left alone with only the Ginsters counter for company.

HBCC won the toss and elected to bat. After a number of good totals on the bounce, this seemed a positive decision but, with hindsight, probably was a mistake as the wicket was to prove conducive to only the most stultifying of cricket.

Winnington's bowling was tight but unspectacular with support from some very good fielding. The complete absences of any pace in the wicket meant that whole swaithes of overs passed without the ring being pierced - only Peter Stubbs looked to bat with any fluency. Young Jake Warner once again showed a fantastic technique and temprament and got exactly nil value for his proper cricket shots (finally losing patience mowing the ball to mid on.)

Young Joe Cooper was the only highlight of the Hale Barns innings. He, as those before him, spent over after over tryig to hit the ball off the square to no avail. However, with wickets falling he decided to go aerial with success. He hit precisely 50 out of Hale Barns total of 100 with a late flurry of boundaries. Hopefully this gives him confidence going forward to make the runs week in week out. Well done Joe.

A small total, but it did seem defendable on that wicket. Both James Dunley and Dave Molloy bowled with frugality. Dave Saddington also came into the attack and showed great control - giving all batsman a rough ride.

However, Winnington batted sensibly and with plenty of luck. They romped home to a six wicket win with the best part of ten overs remaining. Their more agricultural style of batting seeming to suit the conditions. A (difficult) lesson to learn??

Highlights:

Joe Cooper - a proper innings which gave us hope

Anne's strawberries & cream