Boundary Edge - Number 77 July/Aug 2009

First’s in the driving seat

It has been twelve seasons since our first team has been so dominant in the South Yorkshire league, but this year they are making up ground in fine style.
We have a well balance side, plus a great backup, with a second team also on song in a lower division.
There has been some excellent individual performances from all our players and our fielding and catching has been superb. In he last few weeks we have dismissed our opponents for very low scores and knocked off the runs we needed for victory without much trouble.
Our bowling attack with John Harrison, James Furniss, Nic Horsfield, Matt Johnson and Mark Pearson, has been ontarget since the start of the season, with all of them making significantcontributions at just the right time.
John Harrison grabbed a second over hat trick against Warmsworth as he returned fine match figures of 6-24. However, our visitors performed even better and pinched the points from under our noses. Well that’s cricket —- the game is never over until the fat lady sings !
It is good to see Andy Lockwood back at the crease this season, after missing most of last season injured, and doing his usual stuff of scoring runs.
Simon Mintoft has taken catching to a new high this season, pulling off some breathtaking feats in several games

Seconds keep up pressure

A stunning victory over league leaders Norton Oakes underlined how well our second team is performing this season. The Oakes have held top spot all season but they took an unexpected tumble when we visited them.
Batting first, the home side had no answer to up and coming Tom Rex who returned a splendid 6-11. It was an encore to his 5-29 against the league leaders of the Yorks/Derby league with our third team earlier in the month.
Rob Buckle 31no & Grant Woolley 20no scored the runs to complete a six wicket victory. The same two players were on song against Whiston when we snatched a two wicket victory at Stonelow.
Oughtibridge were shot out for 67 and Peter Millingtonhit a fine 41 no. to give us victory. The following day Dearne were struggling at 56-8, to the bowling of Matt Roe, when rain put an end to our fine effort.
We must stress that it is the fine all round team effort that is paying dividends .All of our players have had a share of the limelight—great cricket.

League Chairman to present prizes

We are delighted that Chairman of the South Yorkshire League, Terry Bentham, has accepted our invitation to present the trophies at our dinner on Saturday, November 28th at the Park Hotel.
Terry has been in the sport for many years and in addition to his administrative duties with the League, is one of our leading umpires.
He will no doubt have many interesting stories to recall of incidents in local cricket. Maybe Coal Aston will be included in some.