BLS CC 2008 Reports

Sands and Cartmel were engaged in a fascinating opening encounter to the 2008 season on Saturday. Normally whoever wins the toss at this early stage of the season wins the match and the home team were buoyed by the correct call!

Cartmel made steady but slow progress, not surprising really as the pitch and outfield were both slow and damp and it soon became apparent that any score over 100 would be useful as the bowlers held sway. Liam Curwen (32), Simpson (15) and Harvey (27) made sure that the score board ticked along whilst at the same time refusing to surrender their wickets. This allowed Ian Curwen (17) and Young (21) to score invaluable runs late in the innings. A score of 133 looked a more than useful tester. Vipond looked lively on the slow pitch after his return from a 2 year sabbatical playing Northern League Cricket, but the real bowling plaudits went to teenage starlet Dyson (3 for 32) and the veteran Morgan (3 for 32).

Cartmel’s young opening bowlers suffered at the hands of Loxam (14) and in particular Cole (32) as the opening pair put on a rapid 50 in just 11 overs. A succession of quick wickets followed with only Wolfenden (14) contributing runs, the introduction of Lloyd Curwen to the bowling attack paying dividends for the visitors. At 62 for 6 Sands were in trouble with defeat suddenly looming large and needed to dig deep. Jon White (21 not out) took on the responsibility of batting the remainder of the innings aided at first by the home skipper Trevor White(13) and then after a further flurry of wickets by Morgan (13 not out). Batting sensibly White and Morgan steered Sands through 13 nerve jangling overs and nearly forced an unlikely victory at the death. Lloyd Curwen bowled an exceptional 18 over spell with the fine figures of 7 for 18.

Match Drawn Sands 4 pts – Cartmel 10pts.

The match ball was kindly sponsored by John Cole.

Get out of Jail free!

Warton A 114 for 8 wkts v Bolton Le Sands 138

Warton produced an excellent all round display against visitors Bolton Le Sands at the Hyning on Saturday. Fielding a side which contained 5 under 16 players they more than held their own against a team that last year played first division cricket.

On winning the toss the visitors elected to bat first with an eye to the 15 points available for a win. Excellent bowling by Paul Simpson 4 for 51, unchanged throughout the innings, plus a superb performance from Stuart Lyon 5 for 64 kept Sands well and truly in check. Not surprising really when just 2 seasons ago Simpson claimed 50 wickets in the top flight and Lyon has recent Northern League experience. Loxam (41) anchored the innings but other than Clakson (13) found little support in the top order. For the second week in succession Jon White (20) provided backbone to the middle order, sharing in the first meaningful stand of 32 runs with Loxam for the 5th wicket. After Loxam’s departure Trevor White gave the innings momentum with a brisk 27, a further 34 runs being scored for the 6th wicket before White junior fell LBW. Tim Millat (13no) shepherded the tail to give Sands an awkward total on a slow, low pitch.

Junior keeper Weatherall snapped up two smart catches behind the stumps in what was an excellent overall fielding effort from the home team.

Warton lost their first wicket at 33 and the next at 60. Home skipper Thompson was well bedded in at this stage and went on to bat through the innings for a disciplined 56 not out. When he was joined by Simpson (24) the win was on but after the later departed LBW a draw was sensibly achieved. Youngster Ben Herron (11) supported his captain early doors but the remaining batsmen found the guile and experience of Cole (3 for 19) and Morgan (3 for 17) too much to handle.

Warton 3 pts – Bolton Le Sands 8 pts

Sands match ball kindly sponsored by Martin Dyson

Another fine mess..........................

Galgate 210 for 4 wkts v Bolton Le Sands 113 for 8 wkts

Another difficult day at the office for Sands as they were completely outplayed by a confident Galgate Team. Electing to bowl first seemed the correct policy, Sands teenage bowling starlets Dyson and Mark Clarkson bowled very tight early doors, just 17 runs were scored in the first 10 overs. Cunliffe (31) was the steadying influence for the home team ably assisted by Hill (24). Morgan (57) and Gould (62 no) upped the tempo launching a blistering attack on the visiting bowlers. Over 190 runs were scored off the next 35 overs and this on a pitch that was offering help to the seamers.Dyson and Clarkson showed maturity beyond their years with the ball but it was the evergreen Morgan who had most success picking up 2 wickets.

Any hope Sands entertained for a successful run chase evaporated as 27 for the first wicket suddenly became 37 for 4 wickets. Ireland (35) took the game on but when he departed to a smart catch it was again left to Jon White (24) to salvage the points. Shepherding the strike White looked to have settled Sands for a comfortable draw but when neatly bowled by Brighouse it was left to the bowlers Dyson and Clarkson to save the day. Gould, Cooper and Cunliffe each picked up 2 wickets.

Galgate 8 pts – Bolton Le Sands 1 pt

Sands match ball kindly sponsored by Dennis Barnfield Groundcare

Bolton Le Sands 83 for 2 wkts v Shireshead A 79

Having been asked to take first knock on a damp pitch Shireshead were forced to work extremely hard for runs. The opening 13 overs from Dyson and Clarkson (jnr) yielded just 15 runs off the bat. Openers Coates and Moulson could not make progress, both falling to Dyson (2 for 8) in his opening spell. Singh (31) and Mahmood (19) took the score to 61 before Singh became the first of three lbw victims. A flurry of wickets followed as Morgan, (4 for 18) weaved a spell, ably supported by Clarkson (jnr) (2 for 27) and the innings petered out for a modest 79 runs.

Despite the loss of Loxam (10) and Wolfenden (11) Sands cruised home in just 20 overs. Cole (35 no) punished any loose balls and Trevor White (19 no) hit the winning boundary. Savage (2 for 11) bowled well from his allotted 7 overs but found little support from his bowling partners.

Bolton Le Sands 12 pts – Shireshead A 0 pts

Sands match ball kindly sponsored by Thomas Newall, Lancaster

HACKNEY & LEIGHT TROPHY ROUND 1 - SUNDAY 11 MAY

Kirkby Lonsdale 106 v Bolton Le Sands 127 for 9 wkts

Sands produced an excellent all round display at Kirkby Lonsdale in the first round of the Hackney and Leigh Trophy on Sunday. Fielding a side missing four regular first choice players they more than matched their first division opponents.

On winning the toss Sands elected to bat first. Millat (15) and Rob Clarkson (16) kept the board ticking early doors but runs were not easy to sore on a slow, low pitch. Sands were indebted to debutant skipper Jon White (31 not out) whom patiently built what would prove to later be a testing total. Kellet (21) recalled from the second X1 showed his experience as he and White put on 50 for the 6th wicket. Four run outs ensued towards the end of the innings as every run became a closely contested affair.

All the home bowlers performed well - no one conceded more than 30 runs.

Kirby were away quicker than Sands through Mitchell (11), Storey (15) and Pease (22). But as wickets started to fall the game became finely balanced and Sands young bowling attack responded the better. Old Hand Morgan (3 for 25) and Millat (3 for 18) really applied the brakes whilst Dyson applied the coup de gras by clean bowling Kettlewell in the penultimate over to set off the victory celebrations

Sands match ball kindly sponsored by Alan Woodward

Bare 149, Bolton Le Sands 10-0 rsp

Milnthorpe Taxis Trophy Rd 1 - Bolton Le Sands 157-7, Netherfield 3rds 131

A youthful Sands side booked a place in Round 2 of the new look 20/20 Division 2 cup with a 26 run win on Tuesday evening.

Electing to bat first the home side started quickly with 31 from the first four overs. Mike Wolfenden blazed a quickfire 56 which included nine fours and a six, as the short boundaries were frequently peppered. Jon White made 25 and Dave Loxam 23, and the visiting bowlers only gained some revenge in the later overs as Hartley took 3-11 in two overs, with a wicket each for Davidson and Clinton.

Netherfield started just as positively with Clifton-Brown (29) and Foster (14) playing their shots but Dixon took a great catch at cover and Jonty Hill (3-34) struck twice in his opening over as Sands regained the initiative. Graveson (27) and Clinton (18) briefly threatened to make a game of it but the run rate proved to great and Morgan (2-23) finished off the match in the penultimate over. Vipond took 2-15 and Sands fielding, with an influx of youth, was excellent on the night.

Bolton Le Sands 206-5, Netherfield 3rds 194-9

The first dry wicket of the season at Sands saw nearly 400 runs scored in a pulsating encounter .

The home side not surprisingly elected to bat first after winning the toss. An opening partnership of 45 was ended with the needless run out of Loxam but Cole (36), Wolfenden (39) and Clarkson (43) all took advantage of the benign pitch with any loose ball being despatched. Webster took two wicket s in the middle to slow things down slightly but 43 not out from Jon White saw the declaration made in the 41st over at 206-5.

Netherfield came out of the blocks flying as Reddin hit three fours in one over and raced to 49 after ten overs for the loss of Clifton-Brown well caught by Millatt. Despite being beaten several times by Vipond, Reddin anchored the innings with a solid nock of 63 and with support from Wilson (20) and Stansfield (23) nearly took the visitors to a surprise victory. Morgan (3-45) finally trapped him lbw for 63 and Dyson (3-51) dismissed Stansfield as the last pair arrived at the final over needing 15 to win. Coulton blocked the final five balls from Vipond to secure the draw.

Sands 10 pts, Netherfield 4 pts.

Match ball kindly sponsored by Mr Ian Crabtree

Westgate A 107-8, Bolton Le Sands 133-6

Sands bucked their recent trend of defeats at Cross Hill Park as a determined display with the ball and in the field pegged back Division 2 leaders Westgate on Saturday.

The visitors elected to bat first on a green tinged wicket and lost openers Loxam and Cole to rising deliveries from Shilitoe and Wilkinson. From the depths of 17-3 Rob Clarkson and Matthew Ireland (12) led a partial recovery taking the score to 41 before the latter miscued to mid off. Clarkson carried on hitting a huge six over long on, but perished to a catch in the deep off Patel. Jon White made a patient 32no and with Millatt (20) and Kellett (14no) saw Sands reach some respectability in the final overs. Andrew Wilkinson had the best figures with 3-28 off twelve overs, Saeed Patel 2-42 and Shilitoe 1-17 including six maidens.

Westgate's reply was solid at the outset, with Hannigan and Shilitoe putting 30 on good time. Adam Dyson then produced the perfect leg cutter to clip Hannigan's off stump, a crucial wicket but Shilitoe hit a six over extra cover and the home side reached 54-1. Vipond struck back with two wickets as Shilitoe edged behind for 30 and Webster soon followed. Debutant Jon Lynch kept up the good pressure with some teasing off spin as Tattersall was stumped for 15 and Fisher sliced to gully. Mo Patel fell to an excellent catch by Kellett and the returning Dyson and Lynch kept a stranglehold on the later batsmen. With the dismissal of Patel stumped after being beaten by several lifting and turning deliveries from Lynch, the home side batted out for the draw. All Sands bowlers performed well with Vipond taking 3-40, Dyson 2-26 and Lynch excellent figures of 3-26 off sixteen overs.

A lamentable batting display by visitors Sands saw Ibis secure a relatively easy twelve points on Saturday at the former Provincial ground.

Sent into bat on a green tinged but firm wicket, Sands made slow progress early on after losing Trevor White in the fourth over. Cole (13) unluckily played on to Blamire, but the middle order found some odd ways of being dismissed with Jack Swindlehurst profiting. Wickets fell at regular intervals with only one other batsmen reaching double figures, Ireland making 19 whilst extras chipped in with 16. Swindlehurst wrapped up the innings taking the last four wickets to fall to finish with exceptional figures of 7-28 from 11.4 overs. Blamire took 2-16 and Darren Braithwaite 1-13.

The visitors needed early wickets and Dyson (1-9) once again obliged, as Clarkson took a one handed catch at slip to dismiss Robinson. However Alistair Braithwaite made sure of a home victory making 43 not out, and despite the loss of two further wickets and a break for rain the winning runs were knocked off in the 25th over.

Sands and Trimpell served up a run feast on Saturday – well over 400 runs coming from the afternoon’s cricket! Despite the morning rain the pitch cover had done its job well and Trimpell asked Sands to bat on what looked like a perfect batting pitch. Perfect it was, Sands raced away courtesy of Jon White (23), Cole (74), Clarkson (43) and Millat (28). Partnerships of 38 for the 1^st wicket between Cole and White, 90 for the 2^nd wicket between Cole and Clarkson and 58 for the 3^rd wicket between Cole and Millat led the way to a sizeable total. The middle order also chipped in nicely – 77 runs being scored from the final 10 overs of the innings.The total could have been much higher if Sands had really pressed, despite the best efforts of Steve Beniston and Cope who between them bowled 27 overs for 94 runs and picked up 3 wickets along the way.

Early doors Trimpell seemed to find run scoring more difficult only Hardman (28) showing any fluency. However Cope (32), Booth (34) and Ginnochio (22) all made their mark but the real fireworks were to follow. Vipond struck 3 times in the 32^nd over to leave the visitors struggling at 137 for 7. Undaunted Steve Beniston (48no) led a recovery charge ably assisted by Maguire (17no) and whilst a win was just too far away ensured maximum bonus points. Sands dropped catches and Vipond certainly bowled better than his final figures of 19 overs, 5wkts and 104 runs would suggest. Teenager Adam Dyson 12 overs, 23 runs was again a model of consistency.

Sands greater experience came to the fore on Thursday evening as they brushed aside the challenge of Milnthorpe A in the local version of 20/20 cricket.

Batting first Cole was in splendid form racing to 72 out of the first 88 runs scored in a just 10 overs. His superb innings included 5 sixes and 5 fours, the inexperienced pairing of Dixon - 4 overs for 40 runs and Dickenson - 2 overs for 25 runs - taking the full brunt of the onslaught. Coupe, 1 for 20 and Naylor, 3 for 23, did well to stem the flow of runs but when Vipond stepped to the crease and hit 34 runs in just 5 overs the writing was on the wall for the hosts!

Coupe (16), Duncan (19), Moorby (17) and Halhead (16) all tried in vain to match the required run rate and the innings fell away to 84 for 8 at the 15 over mark. James (18) had one last rally but it was all in vain as Sands Teenagers Dyson 5 for 23 off 4 overs ably supported by Mark Clarkson jnr 1 for 11 off 4 overs, held sway. Excellent catches by Loxam and Mark Clarkson rounded off a good all round display.

Match Ball Sponsor – Maurice Hodgson