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Written by Nicola Bennett
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Saturday, 31 July 2010 |
 33 not out
Mersey arrived at Upton after driving through rain and delays on the M53 to a extremely wet outfield and wicket but with the umpires keen for the game to commence on time.
With a heavy layering of sawdust, the game started at 1pm after Mersey won the toss and decided to put the home side into bat. With regular opener Saif away, Adam opened the bowling claiming a wicket in his first over with a sharp ball that bowled Wycherley. Hassan took a wicket in his 2nd over his first of four wickets (for 44) when James Williams sportingly walked when caught behind by Pete August and the score was on 7 for 2.
As overseas George Earl (caught by Adam) went with the score on 9 Upton were rocking but Beacher and Warburton battled out the next 10 overs, placing a 48 run partnership on the board before Warburton was bowled. Beacher (41) and Captain Ian Linwood (25) took the home side past the 100 mark but at 107 for 9 Mersey saw the chance to wrap up the innings with overs to spare. Tail enders Sharrock and McGowan had other ideas and were to frustrate the Mersey bowlers and amass a last innings stand of 48 both carrying their bats and more importantly using up all of their 50 overs.
The 2 Gareths - Basson and Moorhouse claiming 2 victims a piece. Mersey kept to their task in the field although the captains acrobatics and an incident with overthrows caused some amusment/frustration to both the team and spectators.
With 155 on the board probably 30 more than Upton should have reached Mersey went in for tea. Matt and Mark opened with Matt looking to be harshly given out on 5 the score on 11. Will came to the crease and along with his captain the pair looked to patiently play back the ball, and with just 23 on the board and in the 12th over Mark (16) was cruelly run out when Will hit a lovely straight drive onto the hand of bowler Ian Sharrock and straight to the stumps. Will and Gautham then put on a 42 partnership as Gauth played in his usual style, hitting a shot that went for 4 after passing through the slips on his first ball. 65 for 3, became 65 for 4 Will still at the wicket needing others to come in and play with him.
With 28 overs gone and Mersey in the 70s the persistent drizzle caused both sides to question whether they should still be on the pitch, another wicket for Upton convinced them it was the right place to be, Mersey definately not. With 74 for 5, Will and Adam had played their way through the rain, both again asking the umpires if it was not time for the players to come off, when Will was dismissed for 22, the players followed him off the field as the umpires felt the drizzle was persisitent and a break of around 20 minutes was taken before the clouds passed over and the covers could be taken off.
Colin shortly followed and with Mersey 80 for 7 with 31 overs gone, Upton smelt the win, 25 points and a closing of the gap in the table. Luckily Waqar and Adam manoevered their way through the next 19 overs, Adam not playing his natural game but his patient play brought him 33 not out with Waqar on 22 not out. Mersey finishing on 135 for 7, rueing the last man stand of Upton but gaining 8 points to Uptons 10, so stopping the Wirral side gaining any significant ground on us.
Next weeks sees Middlewich travel to Mersey.
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