KING JAMES INFLICT MIDDLEHAM DOUBLE HEADER WOE

(report by M.Boorman – cub reporter)

or

Fifth straight defeat gives Middleham little hope for rest of Season

BISHOP MIDDLEHAM’S DISMAL FORM CONTINUED as John Raw’s King James sensationally denied them. Chasing a paltry 105, Middleham collapsed to a disappointing 103 with victory in sight.

Richard Hanlon starred with 28 not out, leaving the rest of the Middleham batting order, without late-casualty Dave Shaw, to ponder where it all went wrong.

Middleham’s bowlers could take heart from their performance however, inspired by Mike Smith’s hostile 1 for 5, and Hugh Boorman’s ‘curious’ 1 for 11. It was Smith who struck first, claiming King James captain John Raw clean bowled for 3. Then inexplicably Boorman senior, regularly deploying the second bounce technique, bowled opener Oughton for 11.

Robson was next to go, first change Michael Connelly’s leg-side pie caught behind spectacularly by Boorman junior II, providing a wicket keeping demonstration for the injured Hutton, keenly observing at third man.

But King James provided stout resistance in the form of Arnold and star man Ritchie Pringle, heavily aided by Dave Minn’s audition for the circus juggling competition, spilling two vital catches on his way to a nightmare performance.(the reporters pen can be cruel – ed)

Arnold’s innings was eventually ended by the superb Steve Ball, whose figures of 1 for 12 from 3 overs did not do his bowling justice. Pringle (caught earlier off a Kell no ball) was not to be denied however, retiring on a vital score of 27.

Paul Wetheridge claimed the only other wicket, clean-bowling Brown for a quick fire 10.

Debutant Steve Kell proved rather expensive with his two overs for 18 containing 7 no balls, though he has pedigree, boasting clubs such as Ushaw Moor, Esh Winning and Tudhoe in his career, halted for a almost a decade. With the right guidance however, he could prove a valuable asset in Middleham’s future.

Middleham were eventually set a winning target of 106, containing an unusually low bye total of 1.(was this due to Hutton not being behind the stumps – ed_) It was competitive but achievable nonetheless.

Again, Middleham were quick out of the traps in pursuit, Boorman junior II and pinch-hitter Hutton compiling a fast 27 partnership, before Hutton lost his wicket for 10, caught off the bowling of Arnold. Arnold then claimed the vital wicket of Boorman junior II, catching off his own bowling an ugly pull shot, the only blemish in an otherwise flawless 15.

Richard Hanlon then came to the crease and shared a brief partnership with Davey Minns, bowled by captain-Raw for 9. Boorman senior then took charge with some fine strokes, before playing a shot 10 minutes too early to the snail-paced Taylor, somehow contriving to get bowled off his arm. Hanlon was still yet to find his range, as he shared a turgid partnership with an out of sorts Steve Ball,(Out of form with the bat for the last 4 years –ed) the torture finally ended by a catch at mid off from the bowling of Hill.

Then suddenly, Hanlon showed his true class, battering 3 fours in as many balls off King James star bowler Hill, reaching his retirement score of 28.

But Hill was to have the final say as Middleham, needing only 12 runs for victory from 3.5 overs, capitulated. Hill claimed the wickets of Wetheridge and Smith, inexplicably batting at number 9, both for ducks. Prior to that, Michael Connelly was bowled by Rowley junior for a dire 1, leaving Steve Kell, a batsman capable of hitting the ball with that wooden object they call a bat, stranded on 7.

Middleham were to end 3 runs short with captain Boorman surely regretting his decision to bat work-colleague Connelly anywhere above number 11, and Kell wondering what might have been if umpires David Shepphard and Steve Buckner had been adjudicating the no balls.( Is this a contentious issue? – ed)

Another defeat for Middleham, but at least they can take heart from their battling performance to get within 3 runs of their total.

Batsman	How Out	Bowler	Total
M. Boorman	Caught and Bowled	Robson	15
D. Hutton	Caught Anonymous	Arnold	10
D. Minns	Bowled	Raw	9
R. Hanlon	NOT	OUT	28
H. Boorman	Bowled	Taylor	12
S. Ball	Caught Anonymous	Hill	8
S. Kell	NOT	OUT	7
M. Connelly	Bowled	Rowley	1
M. Smith	RUN	OUT	0
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
S. Ball	3	0	15	1
R. Hanlon	2	0	16	0
D. Minns	3	0	26	0
H. Boorman	2	0	11	1
S. Kell	2	0	18	0
P. Wetheridge	3	0	14	1
M. Connelly	2	0	8	1
M. Smith	3	1	5	1