Austerlands Lose In Yet Another Close Finish
Austerlands' Andy Wood has a narrow escape. (all pictures: Neil Cadd)
There was another thrilling game of cricket at Austerlands on Saturday. But after their recent narrow win over Shaw, this time it was the home side who tasted defeat, at the hands of Heyside.
With a match report, here’s Neil Cadd:
WHAT IS IT ABOUT close games at Thorpe Lane this year? It is not a place to go for the faint hearted!
Austerlands took on Heyside who are currently second in the SDCL and although Austerlands were looking to do the double this season they were on paper second favourites. Batting first on what proved to be a lively track they didn’t really help themselves by being bowled out for 123, pro Farhat top scoring with 35.
Heyside went out to bat no doubt feeling confident that 22 points would be theirs in the next hour or so, but Austerlands had a different view. Wickets quickly fell including that of Hugo for a duck, bowled by Farhat who was turning in a potentially match winning performance taking three wickets and three catches to add to his top score.
Heyside were 38/5 and looking at a heavy defeat. Runs came slowly and wickets seemed to come quicker, Heyside now finding themselves at 94/9, surely Austerlands couldn’t pull out another shock victory?
Alas, Stuart Moore had read a different script, with no other option than to go for it he smashed a couple of sixes and a four then going for another big hit was dropped on the boundary and took another two. A single off the first ball of an over gave Moore the strike back, before he smashed the next ball back towards the bowler. Another drop, but to be fair it would have been a spectacular catch had he held it.
It was left to young Robertson the Heyside no 11 to hit the winning runs with a four off the next over bringing yells of delight from his team-mates on the players balcony. Yet another cracking game of cricket at Thorpe Lane played in a fantastic atmosphere and appreciated by players and spectators alike.
Many thanks once again to Neil for the great article and pictures.
Other results from the Saddleworth League can be seen at its website here. More coverage of local cricket from Saddleworth News is here.
This one beat everyone!
Heyside pro Hugo appeals for a catch behind.
A fine cut through the slips!
Heyside begin the run chase.
The Heyside batsman leaves this one alone.
Heyside's Moore takes a single on the way to his match-winning 35.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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