Back
Sat 04 May 2024 · Division 4
1st XI
13:00
Little Stoke CC - 2nd XI
1XI win opener vs Little Stoke CC
Matthew Burslem4 May - 21:11
Share via
Church Eaton 1’s started the season full of optimism following the strong end to last season where relegation was narrowly avoided..
With a strong side out we lost the toss but were surprisingly asked to bowl on an overcast early afternoon with still a bit of damp in the air.
Dan Hughes and Sam Whitehouse opened up the bowling keeping it tight early on. 2 slips and a gully were quickly removed in favour of close catchers in front of the wicket on a pitch that was understandably a little slow early on. This paid off with an early wicket taken to a catch at silly mid off.
Whilst wickets weren’t forthcoming, Hughes & Whitehouse kept it tight and were followed by the spin trio of Matt White, Jay Arnold and Ade Melbourne. Some tight lines and questionable umpiring decisions led to not many wickets but good economy keeping the pressure on the Little Stoke batting line up. Little Stokes skipper James Murphy and No3 Todd Talbot being the highlight scoring 41 & 30 respectively.
Little Stoke tried to rally late on, but with a lot of pressure on the middle / lower order to score quick runs, excellent death bowling by Sam and Dan restricted Little Stoke to 108-7 from their 40 overs. Sam Whitehouse being the pick of the bowlers with 3-28, Dan being very economic with 1-11 from his 8 and Ade keeping it tight in the middle with 2-22. Credit to Jay as well for 1-15 from his 8 overs having gone for 7 in his first over.
So CE set about the reply. As the sun came out and the wicket and outfield dried out, Little Stoke were surely now regretting the decision to bat first. Jay and Dan opened up and looked much more fluid at the crease than Little Stoke - some free scoring led them to 24 without loss before Jay managed to pick out deep square leg from the worst delivery of the day. Dan Smith came to the crease and quickly pounced on the short straight boundary before also succumbing for a run a ball 29. More quick wickets fell with Burslem and Loz not giving Trevor too much work to do in the score box, before Mikey Holdcroft and Dan Hughes started to steady the ship. When Mikey (14) and Dan Hughes (who played a very well compiled 33) fell in consecutive overs, skipper Matt White and youngster Sam Whitehouse came out to see CE home (albeit there was confusion over the winning total!). White hit the winning runs, then got out the ball after… (work that one out?!) but it didn’t matter, CE had made a great winning start to the season.
Special mention to Sam Whitehouse who took 3 wickets and then performed under pressure with the bat to see CE home.
Credit must be given to the ground staff who’d prepared a very good wicket against all the odds given the weather, and all those who’ve helped creating a great sociable space in the pavilion which was enjoyed by all during and especially post match.
Great start to the season, away at Sandon next week to hopefully keep up the momentum!
Dan Hughes and Sam Whitehouse opened up the bowling keeping it tight early on. 2 slips and a gully were quickly removed in favour of close catchers in front of the wicket on a pitch that was understandably a little slow early on. This paid off with an early wicket taken to a catch at silly mid off.
Whilst wickets weren’t forthcoming, Hughes & Whitehouse kept it tight and were followed by the spin trio of Matt White, Jay Arnold and Ade Melbourne. Some tight lines and questionable umpiring decisions led to not many wickets but good economy keeping the pressure on the Little Stoke batting line up. Little Stokes skipper James Murphy and No3 Todd Talbot being the highlight scoring 41 & 30 respectively.
Little Stoke tried to rally late on, but with a lot of pressure on the middle / lower order to score quick runs, excellent death bowling by Sam and Dan restricted Little Stoke to 108-7 from their 40 overs. Sam Whitehouse being the pick of the bowlers with 3-28, Dan being very economic with 1-11 from his 8 and Ade keeping it tight in the middle with 2-22. Credit to Jay as well for 1-15 from his 8 overs having gone for 7 in his first over.
So CE set about the reply. As the sun came out and the wicket and outfield dried out, Little Stoke were surely now regretting the decision to bat first. Jay and Dan opened up and looked much more fluid at the crease than Little Stoke - some free scoring led them to 24 without loss before Jay managed to pick out deep square leg from the worst delivery of the day. Dan Smith came to the crease and quickly pounced on the short straight boundary before also succumbing for a run a ball 29. More quick wickets fell with Burslem and Loz not giving Trevor too much work to do in the score box, before Mikey Holdcroft and Dan Hughes started to steady the ship. When Mikey (14) and Dan Hughes (who played a very well compiled 33) fell in consecutive overs, skipper Matt White and youngster Sam Whitehouse came out to see CE home (albeit there was confusion over the winning total!). White hit the winning runs, then got out the ball after… (work that one out?!) but it didn’t matter, CE had made a great winning start to the season.
Special mention to Sam Whitehouse who took 3 wickets and then performed under pressure with the bat to see CE home.
Credit must be given to the ground staff who’d prepared a very good wicket against all the odds given the weather, and all those who’ve helped creating a great sociable space in the pavilion which was enjoyed by all during and especially post match.
Great start to the season, away at Sandon next week to hopefully keep up the momentum!
Further reading
Team Sponsors
