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2nds winning streak continues |
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Written by James Emmerson
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Saturday, 31 July 2010 |
 Mersey 2nd XI made it three consecutive wins with a five wicket triumph over visitors Upton on Saturday.
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Scores: Upton 88 (53.3 overs, 191 mins)
Mersey 89-5 (28.2 overs, 101 mins)
Points: Mersey 25, Upton 3
In the end another low scoring tussle between these two sides, and as at Upton earlier in the season, a tricky pitch and damp outfield meant it was generally not a day to be a batsman.
The last four matches (spread over two seasons) have seen Upton record scores of 145-9, 98-9, 96 and then today 88 against Mersey. I make this point not to criticise – after all, they successfully defended the 98 total – but simply to say it’s odd how this particular fixture seems to turn into such an attritional struggle.
Today’s game threatened to be one of the briefest on record, as Upton got themselves into a real pickle. The pitch undid one or two of their batsmen, but a couple of loose shots didn’t help the cause, and when the determined Evans was handsomely stumped by Rob, it was 26-7 after the first ball of the 18th over. It seemed like we wouldn’t even need to bother with drinks, let alone tea.
What followed was not pretty to watch, but hats off to the last three Upton partnerships, who fought and fought. Young Matt Ingram was joined by captain Ian Holmes, and they assiduously played out seven maiden overs in the next ten as the scoreboard had its easiest workout of the season. 38-7 after 29 was where proceedings meandered to before Holmes startled the slumbering onlookers with an enormous sweet six, which sailed away over extra cover – “right out of the screws” he beamed afterwards – although Asad’s change of pace promptly did for him next ball. Cruice survived two very confident appeals before succumbing, which was 48-9, but improbably it took another 23.5 overs before Mersey finally polished things off.
Like I said, it was not pretty to watch – although it was very easy for the scorers – but every credit to Ingram and last man Keenan that they worked so determinedly to add 40 very useful runs. 18 of those came in the last three and a bit overs before Ingram finally fell - the youngster facing 103 balls and battling away for over two hours - and while 88 was way below what Upton would have hoped for, in the circumstances it was quite an achievement. The last three pairs had added 62 in 36.3 overs and Mersey, on a changeable afternoon, had some batting to do.
With drizzle in the air and indifferent light, the 2nds were quickly in trouble as they found runs equally hard to come by. 27-3 after 9 had an edgy feel about it, and both Josh and Waqas were fortunate to survive a couple of airy shots which could have gone anywhere. However, they settled down and gradually started to run well, Josh in particular looking increasingly impressive as he pulled a confident six to ease the Mersey collywobbles. In drizzly rain and stygian gloom Rob and Matt saw Mersey over the line as the visitors rued missing some opportunities for catches that could have made things very tight.
The game was played in a really good spirit, with Upton’s over rate (again) impressing your correspondent, and although it had the look of an early winters day rather than high summer, today was another excellent result for the 2nds who are getting a late giddy-up on. July has seen three wins and a 16 point draw, plus one cancellation, so the team can set off for next week’s trip to Congleton in good heart.
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