BOORMAN HAT-TRICK FAILS TO HALT MIDDLEHAM SLIDE

(Report by M.Boorman – cub reporter)

A SENSATIONAL HAT-TRICK from David Boorman could not inspire Bishop Middleham to their first win of season, as they were trounced by a rampant Sedgefield Winkers. Indeed, the Winkers had already amassed a mammoth 154 from 33 overs, before Boorman junior struck superbly to end the misery. Collins, Bland and Richardson the hapless victims, but this only after the Winkers middle order had tortured a largely inept Middleham bowling attack.

Middleham fielded an unusual looking line up, with Richard Hanlon, Boorman junior, Boorman junior II, Shaw junior and Keith Curbeson making their first appearances of the season, with captain-competitive Ron Woods, experienced all-rounder Mike Smith, and webmaster Harry Davison the notable absentees. Postmen Connelly, Wetheridge and Anderson were also unavailable, weakening the Middleham attack, though the batting line-up was bolstered by the return of the badly missed Boorman junior II. (Badly missed by whom – ed)

Boorman senior was the acting captain, electing to ask the opposition to bat. A move that backfired, but does anyone really care?

Captain-competitive Ron Woods may have something to say about that….

A Mike Blocki-inspired Winkers got off to a good start with opening pair Gary ‘the walker’ Hodgson,( is that something like Michael Jackson’s Moon walking or do you think that he always acts in a sportsmanlike manner ? - ed) and Blocki himself accumulating a useful 50 partnership, before Middleham debutant Keith Curbeson struck, sending Hodgson back to the pavilion with a well taken caught and bowled.

Curbeson continued to show his potential when he claimed the wicket of Robinson, clean bowled for 1, and David Boorman’s late cameo apart,( never understate a magnificent bowling performance – even if he is your brother – ed) was the pick of the Middleham bowlers ending on figures of 2 for 24 from his maximum six overs.

But that show of Middleham ability was short-lived as Winkers Barker, Bates and Freeman reached the retirement margin, the Winkers domination interrupted only by opener-Bloki’s dismissal by Davey Minns, bowled for a useful 27, and Boorman junior II’s sharp despatch of Smyth for 1.

It was only then that Boorman junior struck, but his dropped catch at square leg from Barker, who went on to top score with an ugly 32, was still fresh in the memory.

154 for 7 was the Winkers final score, opposing captain Blocki electing to not re-instate the retirees, and he lightened the atmosphere further with news that there was to be a tea after all.

Middleham’s efforts at playing cricket, however pathetic, were not in vein.

Middleham resumed with Boorman junior II and Graham Hutchison giving chase to the Winkers’ total. Early signs were good, with Boorman junior II showing his class, clattering a couple of boundaries from the opening pair of Hodgson and Smyth. Hutchison also responded with a delightful straight drive for four, but his innings was soon to end, Hodgson claiming the first of his two wickets in a 2 for 17 spell.

Middleham’s openers were also hampered by two rain breaks and a pudding pitch, large factors surely in Boorman junior II’s premature dismissal for a fluent 19, caught at short cover by Hodgson from the bowling of Barker, who finished his spell with 2 wickets for 4 runs from 3 overs.

Middleham’s opening dismissals were sandwiched by a failure from the usually reliable Dave Minns, caught and bowled for a duck by Freeman.(Minn’s averages have now taken a nosedive!!! – ed)

Richard Hanlon then came to the wicket and watched as the wickets of Ball and Shaw senior fell for an apologetic 4 runs, and then eventually Boorman junior for a torturous 12. Tony Bland’s ‘bowling’ not punished enough by Boorman and Hanlon, demonstrated by his final figures of 0 for 13 from 3 overs. Middleham can ill-afford this show of ineptitude if they are to succeed; 6 an over surely the standard scoring rate against such blatant pie-chucking.

Hanlon did end on a creditable 22 however, his resistance finally ended by Blocki’s devious swing bowling.

Boorman senior and Dave Hutton then shared a brief partnership, but Hutton’s attempted straight drive into Trimdon Grange off middle-stump was a bridge too far, bowled by Smyth for 6.

The Middleham innings was finally wrapped up by Winkers Collins and Hodgson, the inexperienced Shaw junior and Curbeson both failing to trouble the scorers, leaving Boorman senior rueing his decision to bat at number 9, finishing on a promising 9 not out.

Another dismal defeat for Middleham as their quest for a measly win this year seems to be fading.

(An accurate report which pulls no punches and is the kind of reading that gives the public what it want’s) - ed

Batsman	How Out	Bowler	Total
M. Boorman	Caught Hodgson	Barker	19
G. Hutchison	Bowled	Hodgson	10
D. Minns	Caught and Bowled	Freeman	0
R. Hanlon	Caught Bates	Blocki	22
S. Ball	Caught Bates	Freeman	1
D. Shaw	Caught and Bowled	Barker	3
D. Boorman	Bowled	Blocki	12
D. Hutton	Bowled	Smyth	6
H. Boorman	NOT	OUT	9
K. Curbeson	Caught Blocki	Collins	0
A. Shaw	Bowled	Hodgson	0
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
S. Ball	3	2	9	0
R. Hanlon	6	0	25	0
K. Curbeson	6	1	24	2
D. Minns	6	0	28	1
H. Boorman	5	0	32	0
M. Boorman	4	0	24	1
D. Boorman	3	0	9	3