Traders Pip Outcasts In Run-Fest

OUTCASTS CC v RAMMY TRADERS

WINTON CRICKET CLUB

TUESDAY 17TH JULY 2018

Traders 150-3 off 20 overs

Outcasts 132-6 off 20 overs

Traders won by 18 runs

Outcasts returned to their home venue on the 17th July for their match against Rammy Traders. Mike, the best groundsman in Greater Manchester, was tending the pitch as players drifted in on a pleasantly mild rather than oppressively hot early evening. Outcasts were on a three-match unbeaten run, and were hoping to extend this record against doughty opposition.

Traders batted first and it was soon obvious that Outcasts were in for a tough time. Openers Dickinson and Foreman set the pace with both batsmen finding the boundary too regularly for the Outcasts' liking. The pair were going at over 7 runs an over before Dickinson was finally out, David Walsh taking a good catch at backward point off the bowling of Raj. Goodall joined Foreman who was eventually obliged to retire, the Traders adopting their own rules of retirement once a batsman had reached 25.

There followed an impressive over from Peter Taylor in which he dismissed both Goodall and Baines, the former sharply stumped by the ever-impressive Andy Broadhurst behind the sticks, the latter cleaned bowled, much to the batsman's consternation and disgust.

If Traders were taken aback, it didn't last for long. Fizal and Marcroft both set about the bowling, contributing nine boundaries between them, two of them going the full distance, before both reached the 25 retirement figure. Wood and Hayes added further quick runs in the middle order with both batsmen undefeated in a final total of exactly 150. Most of Outcasts' bowlers had come in for 'a bit of tap' at some stage, so Peter's two wickets in one over were particularly commendable.

Chasing down such a target was always going to be a daunting proposition for the home outfit, not noted for their quick scoring (although things have got better of late). But they made a good start with David Walsh and Steve Potter opening the reply. Indeed, the pair had put on 35 after 6 overs before Steve was out, bowled by Wood, for 17. Ted now joined David in the middle and the two set about matching the Traders' total. David was in fine form in an innings that contained three 6s, two of them beautifully struck deep over long on, and eight fours. He was ably supported by Ted who not only rotated the strike but also contributed some fine boundaries of his own. The pair took the score to 95 off thirteen overs before Ted was out in unusual circumstances, hitting his own wicket after scoring 26 valuable runs.

With David finally out, bowled, for a splendid score of 63 (Outcasts have no retirement rule in home matches), it fell to the middle order to try and keep up with the run rate. It proved too much, with Wood accounting for both Raj and Scotty as they chased quick runs, while Andy was run out doing the same. Outcasts finished on 132, a creditable score under the circumstances, though not one that was going to trouble the Traders' total. The visitors had recalled their main strike bowlers in fading light at the death and this tipped the balance.

At the end of a match played in fine spirit, both teams retired to the club house to enjoy beers and pizzas.

MOTM for Outcasts had to be David Walsh for his splendid innings at the top of the order.

Champagne Moment: Peter's two wickets in one over.

Next up for Outcasts is the trip to Broadbottom on the 24th July, with a glut of players competing for the right to enjoy the renowned culinary hospitalities of the home side.

cw/19 July 2018