Mill Race team prop up woefully under strength Middleham but defeat ensues

The first thing to say in respect to this game is thanks to Mill Race providing the bulk of players so that it could be played. Middleham were missing a number of players due to work commitments and other activities.

This 40 over game played at Bishop Auckland could prove to be the Nadir of Bishop Middlehams continued existence. Middleham could only muster 3 players from their own ranks and had to be bailed out by members of the Mill Race team plus two other youngsters from Bishop Auckland.

The game got of to a bad start when they lost the toss and King James elected to bat. This gave them the chance to stick around for the full 40 overs and they did reaching 226 for the loss of 5 wickets. A high total but the ground was hard and the outfield quick. Best bowling figures came from the two young Bishop Auckland draftees.

Hugh Boorman produced the highlights of the fielding with a total mis-calculation when trying to catch a high swirling ball over the shoulder. This led to a diving lunge for the ball which could not have been reached by a man six feet six in height (something which Hugh is Not). However he pulled off a tremendous catch later in the innings, again diving to collect it.

The Mill race component of the team played well and the statistics demonstrate their influence on the game. For this game it was muted that the team be called Widdleham due to the number of players from the Willington area, however I think that was just a p*** take. Wilkes again showed his commitment playing on with a damaged ankle, thumb and the effects of several pints of beer ( anaesthetic effect) from the night before.

Following tea Middleham were put into bat and King James put in four slips and a Gulley for the first over , but soon removed them as Middleham started to keep up with the required run rate. However lacking any batting in depth (Davison 0 etc) it was soon to be seen as a false dawn and King James finished up relatively comfortable winners. Though not without a few arguments amongst themselves and some rash and petulant behaviour from one or two players.

Middlehams next game in not until June and it is Hoped that they can actually field a team which is at least composed of 80% their own players in future games. If not could we be seeing the decline and demise of Middleham as a cricket team. Who knows only time will tell!!!!!!!!

King James

J.Raw	Retired		52
D.Oughton	Bowled	Booth	11
J.Holliday	Ct &bowled	Wilkes	42
A.Nunn	Bowled	Booth	24
Pringle	Ct Booth	Simon	16
S.Hill	Not out		25
R.Brown	Ct Boorman	Wilkes	0
Thompson	Not out		6

A.Rowley – did not bat

Extras ????

Total 226 for 5

Middleham Bowling

Ball 5-0-30-0, Davison 5-0-20-0, Both 2-0-29-2, Simon 5-0-55-1, Wilkes 5-0-8-1, Hanlon 5-0-26-0, Boorman 4-0-18-0, Whitworth 3-1-10-0, Oldfield 3-0-8-0

Middleham

Boorman	Ct Brown	Liam	16
Bennett	Retired		50
Wilkes	Bowled	Hill	48
Davison	Bowled	Hill	0
Hanlon	Ct Hill	Pringle	9
Ball	Bowled	Nunn	0
Simon	Not out		18
Booth	Ct Brown	Liam	21
Whitworth	Ct Brown	Raw	0
Oldfield	Bowled	Raw	0

Extras 12

Total 174 off 34 .4 overs