4th XI retain momentum at Offerton

Some of the Timperley team cruised around Offerton in search of the ground for some 10 minutes before the meet time and eventually found the ground in a sleepy hollow off the main road. A green quiet oasis on the edge of town, with the verdant vegetation surrounding the ground suggesting plenty of lost balls if you bowled badly.

On winning the toss Mo decided to bat first on a worn track under hot conditions. Both him & Bilal looked comfortable on a wicket that played better than it looked and it was therefore surprising to see Mo snick off to be caught behind for 11. Kabir entered the fray and did not trouble the scorer, smearing his 2nd ball to point to be well held. Dhanush was next up and settled to task nicely with Bilal, trying to drag the innings away from a tricky 25 for 2 situation. They put on 48 before Bilal was cleaned up for a nice 33 and it was 73 for 3 with Offerton in control. Karl came in and provided a patient 7 in partnership with Dhan before being caught behind. 101 for 4.

Handing over scoring duties, Gary ambled to the middle, keen to retain as much vim in his ancient frame as possible for hopefully a decent knock. Starting slowly against the accurate spinner Thomas he added 34 with Dhan before Dhan had a rush of blood and was bowled slogging across the line for 47. It was disappointing to see him miss out on a deserved 50. This bought Mo Tayyab in and he was fortunate to survive an early drop which he then went on to punish Offerton with. Some lovely clean ball striking saw the scoring rate pick up as the bowlers lost the initiative and Gary also started to score a little more freely as Tayyabs mayhem progressed. The sharp and prolonged running induced by Tayyab soon had Gary blowing like an ancient steam train and a few runs were turned down as he sucked the air in. This was unfortunate as it cost Tayyab his 50. In the last over Tayyab went for one big one too many and was bowled for an excellently timed 48. Timperley 245 for 6 off 40 which seemed about par. Gary 59 not out, pulse rate 159…

In reply Offerton suffered one of those magic days in the field that seldom happen at 4th XI standard. Mo took four catches at slip with the dismissal of Bates off Maharaj the pick of the bunch. Pushkaraj and Tayyab bowled well to induce the edges and were well supported by Dhan who will bowl worse and get a better return. Vishals excellent left arm over went for 0 for 26 off 10 and deserved better. There were periods when Offertons middle order threatened but losing key wickets at the wrong time for them took the wind out of the innings sails and it became a question of whether a 15 point maximum could be obtained. Mo, smelling a couple of cheap ones then entered the attack and took two wickets in 3 balls to close out the game. Offerton 165 all out with only 3 balls lost in the undergrowth. Maharaj also rolled back the years to take two outstanding catches in the gully position.

Onwards and up as they say. Appleton await next week…