Penkridge CC 1st August Blog (In Association with MA Lawyers)

Given the amount of rain that fell in the area on Thursday and Friday (and the early hours of Saturday morning), it was pretty amazing that all of the Saturday games started at the scheduled time and played without the loss of any overs.

The first team recorded a vital win against fellow strugglers Harborne. Excellent opening spells from Rizwan Gulzar (3-33 off 12 overs) and Matthew Jenkinson (1-13 off 11 overs) had Harborne in some trouble at 40-5 as the wicket had some life in it having been covered for two days, before Andrew Lloyd (52) – after surviving a strong appeal for caught behind early in his innings – and Tom Payne (58 not out) put together a useful stand to give the innings a degree of respectability before Attiq Chishti (4-51) mopped up the tail as Harborne were dismissed for 190.

Our reply got off to an excellent start as they cruised to victory thanks to Mohammed Ishtiaq (77) and captain Laeq Chishti (87 not out) who shared an opening partnership of 150 plus. After a couple of wickets fell, we passed the victory target with plenty of overs in hand without the usual alarm that normally happens when we’re chasing a target!

The second team remain in the promotion places despite recording a losing draw at Wellington. The hosts batted first and posted 223-8 from their 50 overs, with useful contribution coming from Alex Taylor (42), Matt Denver (47) and Matt Stinson (47 not out). Richard James again recorded the best figures for us (4-48), with Gary Pope (2-60) and Chris Green (2-48) also amongst the wickets. Despite 74 not out from Vickas Maher, we never really threatened to win and were left to hold on for a draw at 182-9.

Hammerwich second team were the opponents for the thirds, and we were dismissed for 167 having been asked to bat first. Opener Steve Jones (36) and captain Liam Kettle (58) provided the bulk of the runs, whilst Jack Bridges (4-31) was the pick of the Hammerwich bowlers. Despite a couple of early wickets from Josh Baker (2-25), and a wicket apiece for Will Hinder and Benji Lawrence, 42 from Adam Timbrell and 90 not out from Craig Jennings saw Hammerwich comfortably home to victory.

The fourth team were without a fixture as we had to concede the game to opponents Tamworth after struggling for players with the start of the school holiday season upon us.

On Sunday, the first team travelled to Aston Unity and posted 206-5 from their 40 overs in a game that eventually fell victim to the weather. Michael Hartwell (34), Steve Jones (36 not out) and Jack Pope (54) all contributed well with the bat for us. Aston Unity had reached 38-2 when the rain forced an abandonment, Will Hinder (2-10) taking both wickets to fall.

The second team recorded a win against Yoxall which sees them need just one more point to secure the league title. Batting first, we totalled 180-8 with myself making 28 (before being bowled playing a truly horrible shot) and the consistent, experienced / evergreen / old (delete as applicable) Mohammed Shafiq with 70 as the major contributors. Youngsters Tom Porter, Sam Beeken and Benji Lawrence all bowled economically without reward in the Yoxall reply, Adam Beeken (1-15) and Josh Baker (2-36) taking the wickets to fall as Yoxall closed on 162-3 despite 78 not out from Patrick Cromhout. 

So, for myself this weekend…. Really pleased to play in the first team’s vital win on Saturday. I felt that I kept wicket well despite some variable bounce – no byes, one catch given and a sharp stumping off one of our medium pace bowlers. After another barely adequate tea (had to get that in to wind Mum up!), I was able to sit and watch as we knocked off the runs comfortably, the extent of my efforts stretching to making a cup of tea, a couple of walks around the boundary and doing a stint on sightscreen moving duties!

Sunday, and another game in the seconds with son Josh, a few runs before getting out to a dreadful shot and a stint patrolling the boundary – making Josh’s figures look better again by pouching another catch at long on! Delighted that the young second team look like securing the league title, just rewards for their efforts this season.

An exciting week ahead for both the club and myself – the under 19s are at home on Thursday, some important league fixtures as usual on Saturday – the first team in a vital game at Coventry & North Warwick and the second team entertain table topping Shrewsbury. Both games are important given the situation in the respective league tables. Sunday sees the second team with the chance to secure the league title at Cannock, and our first games in the Staffordshire over 45 Masters competition – whilst for me Sunday is a really important game, Shropshire against Essex in the National D40 semi-final at Kidderminster. Hopefully a successful week ahead…..