Asked to bat first
Northleach achieved their highest total of the
season, reaching 278 for 6 from their 40 overs. The
opening pair of Ritchie Blackmore (122) and Geoffrey
Crompton (49) maintained a brisk scoring rate as
they reached 80 off the first 10 overs, through a
mixture of fine strokeplay and large hitting. Both
players seemed able to pick their shots at will and
regularly placed the ball through the gaps in the
field to record 22 "4s" and 8 "6s". Just after the
drinks break, with 151 on the 'board, Crompton
selected the wrong shot to a good delivery from
Rawlings and was positively bowled, bringing Marko
Larner to the crease. His quick-fire score of 44
included the largest "six" of the season at The
Arena, and kept the scoring rate at more than
7/over. As the Rams entered the final overs of the
innings several wickets fell in quick succession as
the Adlestrop bowlers worked hard to keep a good
line and length, particularly Sam Keen whose figures
of 2 for 53 do not reflect the quality of his spell.
The target of nearly
280 to win was always going to be a big "ask" for
the Adlestrop batsmen, but the opening pairing of
Barnes (11) and Walker (22) started as though they
meant business, with some fine shots as they moved
to 40 off 11 overs before the loss of the first
wicket. By now, the home bowlers had found their
length and both Wellman (2 for 39) and Blundell (2
for 7) bowled extremely well - the latter almost
achieving a hat-trick in his penultimate over! With
the score at 49 for 4 at the mid-innings break the
Adlestrop batters decided to "shut up shop" and made
little attempt to move the score along until the
final overs of the innings. Indeed, they seemed more
interested in batting for their average than making
a serious attempt to score runs. In all, home
captain Dickie Hemming tried 7 bowlers, as the Rams
worked hard to make the breakthrough, but it was the
introduction of Larner (2 for 29) that made the
difference. His mix of spin and varied length proved
too tempting for the batsmen and he claimed the
final 2 wickets to fall.
This was
another great win for The Green & Golds, as they did
not allow Adlestrop to get into the game at any
stage, and claimed 18 points in the process.
Northleach play at Great Rissington next week, which
always proves to be a close tussle, looking for
their 10th successive victory.
