Lowerhouse v Rawtenstall

Saturday saw us make the short trip over the hill to play
fourth place Lowerhouse.Forecast was for rain later, when later was anybodies guess!
After the deluge that had taken place the previous day the local groundstaff had no option
but to stick us on the bottom third of the square.Paynie won the toss and decided to bat.
He and Chris opened the innings and yet again got us off to a flying start.With the score on
42 Paynie got a lifter and was caught behind for 14,off Joe Hawke.This brought to the wicket the
sub pro Jarrod Englefield ,a complete unknown to the lads.He commanded the crease from ball one
playing some exquisite drives,complimenting the brutal power Chris was purveying at the other end.
Jarrod's tenure at the crease came to an untimely end as he was run out by a direct hit from all of 70 yards
as he scampered a three.Gone for 17 with the score on 73,but valuable time spent at the crease.Danny B
joined Chris in the middle and the young guns shot the home attack to pieces.Chris smashing his way to his third ton
of the season,reaching 104 in just 95 balls(11,fours and 3,sixes),these two put 123 on for the third wicket,a
communication breakdown resulted in Chris being run out.Next ball Danny offered a simple catch to Driver,and
he too was gone for a quicksilver 46(which included 5,sixes)196 for 4 soon became 197 for 5 as Bomber Riley
belatedly joined the duck race,racking up his first of the season!The Prince was the only other batter to make double
figures hitting a controlled 27.Our innings closed on 254 for 9,a huge total on such a bowler friendly wicket.
We knew Lowerhouse would come out and have a go,a loss to us would end their title hopes.That's how it transpired.
They raced to 31 but Finch got a snorter and was easily caught at slip by Paynie for 11.Chris Benbow tried to take advantage
of the short leg side boundary,and for a while had some success.However his batting partners did not.Driver was pouched at
mid on off Paynie for 1(40 for 2).Khan was caught at slip by Paynie for a blob.(41 for 3).Professional Drew came in and hit a couple of lusty
blows but was undone by turn and bounce,snaffled at point by Kersh.The brakes were now truly on,and this lead to one risk to many by Benbow who
skied a catch to Paynie at extra cover,off the Prince out for 43.Chris Blezard and his captain Charlie Cottam added another 22. Blez was done by a wicked
shooter from the Prince for 15,and then the rain came.Lowerhouse having amassed 100 off 27 overs were 67 behind the asking rate.
So no further play was possible,and the rain probably cost us the the bonus points.
Once again I must reiterate what a fine knock Chris played and what a match winning partnership he and Danny B made.
'til next time see you laytur Kes.
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