Helperby 2nd XI versus Newton-le-Willows match report

Scorecard

The seconds continued their strong start to the season by winning a close game against Newton-le-Willows by a margin of ten runs.

Andy Barlow - starting as captain for the first time this season - carried on where Joff left off, lost the toss and was put into bat by the opposition captain.

The first over was hit for twelve runs as John Tuley treated the opening bowler with total disdain, hammering a four and a six off the third and fifth ball of the over.

Then it all went horribly wrong - from 17 without loss, Helperby collapsed to 27 for 4, with Jolly, Charlie, Joe and Joff contributing a grand total six runs between them.

Fortunately, John was in the mood for runs.

Ably supported by Euan Shepherd on debut (18 runs before John had a brainstorm and decided to run him out) and Dan Marston who finished on 13 not out, John remained at the crease for the full 45 overs, hitting 84 not out and taking Helperby's total to a competitive 146.

Newton-le-Willows began their reply with gusto, with all their top order batsmen giving the impression that they wanted it over quickly, smacking most of their runs in boundaries.

Our Junior bowlers kept their heads whilst the batsmen appeared to lose theirs, and wickets came steadily as the batsmen continued to play their shots.

Newton-le-Willows stumbled to 100 for 7 at 20 overs and the game looked to be in the bag for Helperby, but S Coombs held on stubbornly and was supported in a rear guard action by J. Abbotson.

Newton-le-Willows were only 25 runs adrift when Helperby - who didn't look like getting either batsman out - had a stroke of luck when J Abbotson bizarrely opted to trash his own wickets with a full-blooded sweep shot.

The Newton-le-Willows tail wagged briefly but their efforts to win the game ended ten runs short as Gary Downey and Joe Corner polished off the innings.

All-in-all, not one of Helperby's finer performances but if we can win games like this when we're below par, then I think we have a great chance of promotion this season.

Andy Barlow