4th XI win close game

On a cool Saturday with the threat of rain about, the Timperley CC captain accepted a plea from the Hawks Captain for them to bat first. A lowly league position and only 9 on site driving the request. With a short boundary to one side there was always a risk that things might not go to plan.

The Hawk openers Butler & Bisson-Foster soon settled to task and played well for a 92 run opening partnership helped by some wayward bowling with the new ball. The Timperley bowlers beating the bat on occasion but offering too many scoring opportunities. These were accepted in the main, aided by some sharp single taking. Usman was getting increasingly frustrated with the leakage of runs but was relieved when Bisson-Foster (29) pushed his luck into the covers once too often. He was sent back and was well run out by a direct hit from the slipping Raman.

Butler continued to play well but was starved of strike by Hall (10) & Higginbotham (14) as they came through. As the innings began its death throws Butler started trying to sweep in frustration and was undone by a slow looper from Hussain to bowl him for an excellent 70. This was then followed next ball by Hallas (Snr) smashing the ball into orbit towards mid on and the scorer reached for his pen to mark a 4. However, Tharcasmani put his hand up as if asking a question at school and plucked the ball out of the air to take a miraculous catch. He said it was always under control but few (I think) believed him. Tharcasmani then bowled from the other end and with his radar fully tuned in, bowled an excellent 7/2/ 4 for 19 spell to slow the Hawks to a respectable 192 for 9 off their 40 overs.

In reply Bhatti & Carr took differing views on the bowling. 'Bhatti the bash' & 'Carr the 'cumalator'. Bhatti raced to 31 off 19 balls (inc. 7 fours) before spooning up into the leg side to be caught. Carr played and missed a bit but hung around in support of Usman at 3, this partnership being helped by numerous extras. Carr was then out Lbw for 17 to bring in Muzaffar. Usman (41) was out caught at deep cover trying to push on and was replaced by Iveson who could not replicate his excellent fielding effort with the bat and was adjudged Lbw without troubling the scorers.

This brought Fisher to the crease with 60 odd needed off 12 overs. The Hawks brought their opening bowlers back on in search of more wickets and could have had Fisher a few times who frequently played and missed. Muzaffar though played a couple of big overs to get ahead of the run rate before rashly trying to slog over mid wicket. Unfortunately he missed it and was Lbw for a good 42. The rain by now had started to fall but the teams stayed out for Fisher (19*) & Hussain (5*) to see Timperley home with 17 balls and 5 wickets to spare.

An excellent victory against a spirited Hawk Green side.