Asked to bat
first on their home track, Northleach soon
racked up the runs as Jordan Blackmore and Glen
Crompton started briskly at more than 5 runs per
over. The usually tight bowling pair of Morris
and Alley saw the ball race to the boundary on a
regular basis as the Rams' early batsmen scored
freely, moving to 91 off the first 20 overs of
the innings. John Robson maintained the rate
with Blackmore and the home score reached 150
with 10 overs remaining, with the Aussie
reaching his century with several fine shots.
The reliable Barney Blundell took some time to
get into his stride, but soon had the measure of
the Avening bowlers - especially one over from
Pete Hudd which saw 18 runs added to the score
in spectacular style! The Northleach tail did
not "wag" on this occasion, in a dire finish to
the innings which witnessed 5 wickets falling
for just 30 runs, as the home side reached 179
all out.
The Rams' bowling
attack of "Flammy" Wellman and Crompton started
with aggression and pace, and wickets soon fell.
Wellman claimed both openers in his best bowling
display of the season and Crompton bowled very
tightly, conceding just 22 runs from his 10
overs. A tremendous fielding effort by the home
team was a constant frustration for the Avening
batters, and as the pressure mounted more
wickets fell as, first Blackmore and then
Blundell continued to tighten the noose. The
Aussie crowned his best performance of the
season with a fine 4 for 26, to cement the Man
of the Match award, with Blundell providing a
perfect foil at the other end. The Avening
innings ran out of steam at 136 all out, with
Richings looking dangerous to the end, but
running out of partners as Paul Burgess tokk the
final catch to clinch the win. A great effort by
the home side, particularly in the heat - well
done boys!
Another fine
victory for the Green & Golds, maintaining their
top spot in Division 1, and looking forward to a
weeks' rest before visiting Williamstrip in 2
weeks time.
