Kirkheaton's Hopes go West - Sat 28th June

09 July 2008

Saturday 28th June Slaithwaite 132 vs Kirkheaton 106 Damp once again, as we’re becoming increasingly accustomed during the Monsoon season previously known as British Summer Time. However, the weather Gods must have gone to the races today as the conditions were ‘drying’and, with the wicket still holding some water, it looked like a good toss to lose. The Welshman duly obliged and ‘Yeaton stuck us in. As suspected, the new ball skidded through for the first 10-15 overs and the runs came relatively freely; Geoff dutifully held up his end and, after Dingle and Bez scored quickly but flattered to deceive, the new lad Ijaz ‘Oliver’ Khan added 25 vital runs before getting a bit carried away after a couple of big shots. A mini collapse followed – The Skip, FS and The Metronome all failing to score – and at 57-6 things looked somewhat precarious. However, the best no.8 in the league and sometime 20/20 bowler Holty hung about with Sir Geoffrey, putting on 22 for the 7th wicket before the The Accidental Angler arrived at the crease and carefully contributed 24 to a crucial 50-run 9th wicket partnership. Triso generously added to the fines pot and Geoff finally holed out for a hard-earned 58, leaving us 132 all out and confident. ‘Yeaton struggled from the start as predictably tight bowling from The Metronome and Geoff offered little opportunity to score. Only the useful-looking Murdoch managed to put away the few loose scraps available. With the slow stuff on at both ends the runs were more difficult to come by and, as the pressure increased, the batsmen lost their wickets trying to force it. Wile E. West’s 16 overs of pure control reaped figures of 5-27, barely assisted by 3-41 from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice whose 14 overs consisted primarily of material just too-shit-to-hit until the limping Younas proved that all that was required was a slight disability and almost looked as if he might undo all our hard work with a cavalier 22, before the Welshman plucked a missile from the night sky on the mid-wicket boundary and the points were ours. Top effort all round but special mention for Westy’s ‘Michelle’ and Geoff & Old Fish ‘ead’s match winning 50 partnership.