Park Too Strong for Sports

Alan Horton and Dave Fletcher opened the batting for Park, and faced down a hostile opening spell from Clarke & Joseph with Fletch taking a couple of nasty blows. This pair laid the foundations for a good Park total by putting on 38 for the first wicket. Fletch imperiously hitting Clarke for 6 then being bowled for 22 next ball. Roger Griffiths came in at no.3 but disappeared for an unexpected duck to leave Park 39 for 2. Shaun Parker was up at no.4 and started off like he meant business but he also fell early doors for 10 runs. Park 57 for 3. Adam Ferris, in his first game for PPCC joined the ever resilient Al Horton at the crease and looked very comfortable adding 11 before he was caught out. Park 71 for 4 and over half the overs gone as the runs dried up under very restrictive Carlton bowling. Dave Brupbacher came in at no.6 and Al Horton decided it was time to have a go. Al fell caught behind for 23, trying to force the pace. Skipper Gannon joined Bru at the crease and after having a look for a couple of overs both players decided it was time for a charge with only eleven overs left and the opening bowlers due back on. A period of mad running, some good boundary hitting and some outright ugly slogging saw the runs flowing. When Gannon departed for a quick 37, 56 runs had been added in 8 overs. Craig Partridge came in with 4 overs left but could only add 2 runs before being undone by Josephs slow ball. Park 145 for 7. Bru eventually fell bowled for a very handy 18, and Al Russell and Bill Partridge were at the crease. Bill fell for the Joseph slow ball first delivery, which left Al and Terry Shannon to scamper around for the last few balls. Tel was bowled off the last delivery of the innings for 3, and Alan finished unbeaten again for 8 as Park put on 162 in their 40 overs.

Bill and Craig Partridge opened the Park attack with Craigy boy first to make the breakthrough, bowling McCann. Next over Craigus had Lee caught nicely by Roger Griffiths at first slip to have the visitors 34 for 2. Alan Russell and Adam Ferriss came into the attack, and both enjoyed early success, Al bowling Nye and Adam bowling May. Carlton 59 for 4. At the drinks interval, with the score on 74 for 4, the game was dead level with the equivalent Park score and the Carlton Sports big hitters were in. First ball after drinks and Al Russell dismisses Brett caught and bowled. Next over and Adam has Joseph caught well by Craig. 74 for 6. In his next over, Alan traps Clarke LBW, 81 for 7. With Terry Shannon now operating at the other end, Alan takes another wicket in his final over, having Ridgewell caught by Shaun Parker at point, 83 for 8. Terry finished the innings off first ball next over with Al Horton catching Robinson easily at square leg. With one player short, Carlton Sports were all out for 85 and Park ran out easy winners in the end, with the last 5 wickets falling for eleven runs in only 5 overs.

Bearing in mind Carlton Sports miserly bowling attack, Parks score of 162 was very competitive, and it was good displays from Al Horton, Dave Fletcher, Dave Brupbacher and Tim Gannon that gave the bowlers something to work with. All the bowlers did well, with Craig removing the openers, and new boy Adam Ferris making a great debut & Terry looking good but left short by the quick collapse. However the MOM goes to Alan Russell, with a four wicket burst, including the turing point wicket first ball after drinks, and then never letting the batsmen off the hook.