BULLS MARCH ON TO QUARTER FINALS IN ECB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP WITH CONVINCING WIN OVER WOODHOUSE GRANGE AT ROSEWORTH TERRACE

19th Jul 2021

Woodhouse Grange 153-9 (40o) Jonny Wightman 1-26, Sean Tindale 2-28, Calum Fletcher 3-30, Oli McGee 0-24, Lee Crozier 1-20, Simon Birtwisle 1-19.

SNCC 155-1 (28.1o) Simon Birtwisle 11, Sol Bell 58* Michael Richardson 71*

On a sunny day the visitors from York won the toss & elected to bat. The going was steady until at 33, Sol moving to his left at mid-on threw down the stumps at the bowlers end with a direct hit. This set the tone & going only at 3.5runs /over the visitors found themselves in trouble as they slumped to 79 -4 with wickets for Calum Fletcher, Simon Birtwisle & Lee Crozier.

The fielding was excellent & four catches were taken, three outstanding. It is usual for captain Adam Cragg to save c 20 runs per game at short extra & again he did not disappoint. Rob Peyton made good ground at mid-off & took a diving catch to dismiss Young off the returning Jonny Wightman, 114-5.

Three wickets then went down at 129. Finch lofted Cal to long off where Oli took the catch with aplomb. Next ball Wilson (48), the backbone of the innings, fell to a catch behind. In the next over Richo flung himself to his right to take Burdett (0) off Sean Tindale. One run later Sean caught & bowled Neal low down in his follow through. 

Jonny had the misfortune to bowl Jackson twice in successive deliveries, but a no ball & a free hit meant neither counted!. The innings closed at 153-9 after a sensible last wicket partnership of 23*.

In the Bulls reply, Simon Birtwisle & Sol Bell took the score nicely to 40 in the 9th when Birty top edged a pull to be caught by the w/k. Richo joined Sol &, notwithstanding one vociferous appeal for a catch behind, punished the bad ball, found the gaps & ran well so that the target never seemed in doubt. Their undefeated 2nd wicket partnership of 115 concluded with a six to mid-wicket from Sol in only 28.1 overs. Sol Bell 58* (6x4,1x6,78b,103mins) Michael Richardson 71* (8x4,69b,76mins), outstanding!

The quarter final is in southwest Lancashire on Sunday 8th August against either Ormskirk or Northern who play on Sunday 25th July. Travel arrangements will be communicated in due course. 

The Bulls march on, a mouth-watering, top of the NEPL Premier Division table clash with Burnmoor away on Saturday 24th July awaits.

Duncan.

SNCC v MCC Wed 21st July 2021, start 1100, a 45 over/side game sponsored by Roddy Golightly.

The Vitality T20 Area Final on Sunday 1st August at Roseworth Terrace is a four team, 3 game day. Two semi finals & a final likely to begin at 1000, 1300 & 1700 but the draw & timings have yet to be confirmed. D