A slideshow of our Three Peaks in 24 hours challenge. Enjoy.
We managed it with about 15-20 minutes to spare. Hard work but very enjoyable, and we've raised over £500 for Hope House.
There's even a video diary of our trip if you're really bored:
http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/VIDEO-Evening-Leader-team-complete.5452813.jp
Thursday 16 July 2009
Daubly out for the season?
Rumours persist that all-rounder Steve Daulby's season could be over after suffering a freak achilles injury while moonlighting for Gresford.
The pacy left-armer and hard-hitting batsmen didn't turn out for North West Water last night, with sources close to the player claiming he might not play again this season.
It follows a series of controversies involving the player after he failed to turn up to a team bonding session. Daulby claimed he had to spend time in the garden instead, sparking rumours of dressing room unrest.
But one player, who asked not to be named, said today: "We're gutted for Steve. On his day, he's our Andrew Flintoff, even if his running between the wickets is a bit suspect at times. Hopefully he'll be back before the end of the season, we could certainly do with him."
The pacy left-armer and hard-hitting batsmen didn't turn out for North West Water last night, with sources close to the player claiming he might not play again this season.
It follows a series of controversies involving the player after he failed to turn up to a team bonding session. Daulby claimed he had to spend time in the garden instead, sparking rumours of dressing room unrest.
But one player, who asked not to be named, said today: "We're gutted for Steve. On his day, he's our Andrew Flintoff, even if his running between the wickets is a bit suspect at times. Hopefully he'll be back before the end of the season, we could certainly do with him."
Twenty runs short... the story of our season
As you can probably gather from the heading, we lost, this time to Shropshire Health Authority - and again it was our batting that let us down.
Skipper Justin Evans summed things up when he said: "Twenty runs short - that's the story of our season." On this occasion we bowled first against a strong SHA side on a pudding of a pitch at Whittington that offered plenty in the way of variable bounce.
We started off pretty well. I opened the bowling and despite figures of 0-12 off my two overs, I wasn't too unhappy with my performance as one of the two boundaries I conceded was very nearly caught at slip by a stretching Dave Ryder.
With Gareth Cole also opening the bowling, we kept the scoring rate down before Geraint Jones removed one of the opening pair and Matt Daulby weighed in with two wickets courtesy of brilliant catches at point from Justin - the first of which he managed to juggle first before hanging on. Rory Jones again produced a quick spell which helped keep a lid on the scoring rate.
The visitors reached 53 at the halfway point of their innings and, with Brian Cole bowling superbly - and picking up a wicket - we managed to restrict them to 101 off their 20 overs. Credit should be given to Dave Ryder, who bowled the final over, kept it tight and picked up a wicket despite having an achilles injury.
Our reply got off to a fine start, with father and son Brian and Gareth reaching 30 without loss off five overs, before Brian was given out lbw in what looked a pretty harsh decision. Gareth moved to 18 before getting out and North West Water's mid-order collapse had begun.
Matt Daulby departed for six while Justin, after playing a few meaty blows, was bowled by one that kept very low. We were still in at after 10 overs - 43 for four - but the regular loss of wickets meant we fell well behind the asking rate as the innings progressed.
I went in at number seven but we continued to lose wickets and ended on 85 for nine, 17 runs short of victory. It was disappointing and I was frustrated with my batting again, failing to hit a boundary despite my best endeavours (I fininshed on 11no). Ultimately, we needed a few big blows in the closes stages which I just couldn't provide.
Anyway, we'll be looking to get back to winning ways against Cae Glas next week. Hopefully we won't end up 20 runs short...
Skipper Justin Evans summed things up when he said: "Twenty runs short - that's the story of our season." On this occasion we bowled first against a strong SHA side on a pudding of a pitch at Whittington that offered plenty in the way of variable bounce.
We started off pretty well. I opened the bowling and despite figures of 0-12 off my two overs, I wasn't too unhappy with my performance as one of the two boundaries I conceded was very nearly caught at slip by a stretching Dave Ryder.
With Gareth Cole also opening the bowling, we kept the scoring rate down before Geraint Jones removed one of the opening pair and Matt Daulby weighed in with two wickets courtesy of brilliant catches at point from Justin - the first of which he managed to juggle first before hanging on. Rory Jones again produced a quick spell which helped keep a lid on the scoring rate.
The visitors reached 53 at the halfway point of their innings and, with Brian Cole bowling superbly - and picking up a wicket - we managed to restrict them to 101 off their 20 overs. Credit should be given to Dave Ryder, who bowled the final over, kept it tight and picked up a wicket despite having an achilles injury.
Our reply got off to a fine start, with father and son Brian and Gareth reaching 30 without loss off five overs, before Brian was given out lbw in what looked a pretty harsh decision. Gareth moved to 18 before getting out and North West Water's mid-order collapse had begun.
Matt Daulby departed for six while Justin, after playing a few meaty blows, was bowled by one that kept very low. We were still in at after 10 overs - 43 for four - but the regular loss of wickets meant we fell well behind the asking rate as the innings progressed.
I went in at number seven but we continued to lose wickets and ended on 85 for nine, 17 runs short of victory. It was disappointing and I was frustrated with my batting again, failing to hit a boundary despite my best endeavours (I fininshed on 11no). Ultimately, we needed a few big blows in the closes stages which I just couldn't provide.
Anyway, we'll be looking to get back to winning ways against Cae Glas next week. Hopefully we won't end up 20 runs short...
Thursday 9 July 2009
Defeat
Many thanks to Neil Morley for the following report from last night's clash between North West Water and teh Woodburners at Whittington. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the match, but it sounds like it was another nail biter.
Wednesday July 8, 2009: the day cricket lovers all over the world had been waiting for with bated breath. The day that two legendary adversaries came head-to-head once more.
At last the hype, speculation, wall-to-wall media coverage and nervous anticipation was over, and the battle between these cricketing giants could commence.
Yes, NWW were taking on the Woodburners.Whittington was bathed in sunshine: a far cry from the last time the two teams met at this venue, when mud was the dominant theme.
Bowlers, backed by good fielding on both sides, were on top in a low-scoring game. The variable bounce made for tricky batting.NWW won the toss and put the Woodburners in. Five of the visitors had played the previous night, in a narrow defeat by BT. Skipper Hugh Curteis was absent.
Alan Bothwell and Neil Morley put on 17 for the first wicket, before the latter gloved a rising ball from G.Jones and was caught behind in the fifth over.
Hal Harries and Bothwell then added 25 for the second wicket, including a six by each batsman off H.Jones.
Youngster R.Jones (NWW's man-of-the-match: 28 and 2-1) then bowled Bothwell (Woodburners' man-of-the-match: 17 and 2-5).
Harries was run out (excellent fielding) shortly afterwards for 18, and when skipper Alec White was also bowled by R.Jones for 2, Woodburners were struggling at 49-4.
Phil Edwards and Rob Birkett saw the visitors through to the close without further mishap, but sharp bowling and good ground fielding kept a tight grip on the scoring rate, and in the eight overs they were together the fifth wicket pair were only able to add another 33 runs, resulting in a final score of 82 for 4 after 20 overs.
The visitors felt they were at least 20 runs short of a competitive target, but their spirits quickly soared when Bothwell dismissed both openers, left-handers B.Cole and G.Cole, in the very first over, Phil Edwards taking both catches.
Dave Ryder and M. Daulby then attempted to steady the ship until Daulby, who was threatening to cut loose, was caught off the leg-spin of guest 11th man (thanks, NWW) Dominic Powell.
R. Jones joined Ryder at the crease, and played the innings of the match, pulling and driving with power and authority, after a careful start. But the required run rate had started to creep up: after 11 overs, only 21 runs were on the board.
Two fours by Jones off Phil Edwards' first over kept the target in reach, but by the time he was caught behind off Graham Stroud for 28, 25 were needed off the last three overs.
I. LLoyd was caught by Morley off Hal Harries for a duck, bringing skipper Justin Evans to the crease. He struck some hefty blows, so that by the start of the last over, 13 were needed for victory.
But despite his best efforts, and those of the steady Dave Ryder, who had been in since the first over, NWW just fell short on 76-4, losing by six wickets.
A close match, played in a good spirit, followed by quality chip butties. What's not to like?
Wednesday July 8, 2009: the day cricket lovers all over the world had been waiting for with bated breath. The day that two legendary adversaries came head-to-head once more.
At last the hype, speculation, wall-to-wall media coverage and nervous anticipation was over, and the battle between these cricketing giants could commence.
Yes, NWW were taking on the Woodburners.Whittington was bathed in sunshine: a far cry from the last time the two teams met at this venue, when mud was the dominant theme.
Bowlers, backed by good fielding on both sides, were on top in a low-scoring game. The variable bounce made for tricky batting.NWW won the toss and put the Woodburners in. Five of the visitors had played the previous night, in a narrow defeat by BT. Skipper Hugh Curteis was absent.
Alan Bothwell and Neil Morley put on 17 for the first wicket, before the latter gloved a rising ball from G.Jones and was caught behind in the fifth over.
Hal Harries and Bothwell then added 25 for the second wicket, including a six by each batsman off H.Jones.
Youngster R.Jones (NWW's man-of-the-match: 28 and 2-1) then bowled Bothwell (Woodburners' man-of-the-match: 17 and 2-5).
Harries was run out (excellent fielding) shortly afterwards for 18, and when skipper Alec White was also bowled by R.Jones for 2, Woodburners were struggling at 49-4.
Phil Edwards and Rob Birkett saw the visitors through to the close without further mishap, but sharp bowling and good ground fielding kept a tight grip on the scoring rate, and in the eight overs they were together the fifth wicket pair were only able to add another 33 runs, resulting in a final score of 82 for 4 after 20 overs.
The visitors felt they were at least 20 runs short of a competitive target, but their spirits quickly soared when Bothwell dismissed both openers, left-handers B.Cole and G.Cole, in the very first over, Phil Edwards taking both catches.
Dave Ryder and M. Daulby then attempted to steady the ship until Daulby, who was threatening to cut loose, was caught off the leg-spin of guest 11th man (thanks, NWW) Dominic Powell.
R. Jones joined Ryder at the crease, and played the innings of the match, pulling and driving with power and authority, after a careful start. But the required run rate had started to creep up: after 11 overs, only 21 runs were on the board.
Two fours by Jones off Phil Edwards' first over kept the target in reach, but by the time he was caught behind off Graham Stroud for 28, 25 were needed off the last three overs.
I. LLoyd was caught by Morley off Hal Harries for a duck, bringing skipper Justin Evans to the crease. He struck some hefty blows, so that by the start of the last over, 13 were needed for victory.
But despite his best efforts, and those of the steady Dave Ryder, who had been in since the first over, NWW just fell short on 76-4, losing by six wickets.
A close match, played in a good spirit, followed by quality chip butties. What's not to like?
Three Peaks madness
For the benefit of the many thousands of readers of this blog, I'm taking part in the Three Peaks in 24 hours challenge at the weekend to raise money for Hope House children's hospice.
Our NWN Media team consists of Christian Dunn, Carlotta Ercolani, Rick Matthews, and me of course, with Jon Barnett taking the driving duties.
We're leaving Chester in the early hours tomorrow and hopefully setting out up Ben Nevis at about 5pm. Obviously the idea is to reach the summits of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales all in one day. The reality may be somewhat different, especially given the weather forecast at the moment.
Anyway, if you would like to sponsor our foolhardy mission, please http://www.justgiving.com/NWN3peaks/
Thanks for reading - and now back to the cricket.
The above picture shows Rick and myself on a recent training climb up Snowdon. The weather was good that day; unfortunately, Saturday this week isn't looking quite so promising. Below are Rick, Christian and me at the summit of Snowdon.
And, finally, Rick and Christian enjoying a well-earned cuppa at the bottom.
Sunday 5 July 2009
We won!
Well, we finally got our season under way with a hard fought victory in a close encounter with a new side – the Ellises.
Our victory was largely down to two fine individual performances, one from the increasingly important Rory Jones and the other from skipper Justin Evans, whose three wickets late on turned the game decisively in our favour.
We batted first, having only managed to assemble a team of ten and I was an unwilling starter having come down with a nasty dose of man flu (and of course I was feeling very sorry for myself, snorting and sniffing my way through our warm up.
Anyway, we got off to a decent start through Mike Stokes and Geraint Jones, before Rory, who had suffered a blow to the head during a school match earlier in the day, went in at number four with Steve Daulby. Steve rattled his way to 15 with a succession of boundaries before losing his wicket.
I then joined Rory, who was playing well against a real mixed bag of bowlers. Although I was still feeling sorry for myself, I made 14 before attempting a suicidal second and running myself out for the second time this year. The score was around 90 at that stage with around three overs to go and, thanks to fine attacking shots from Rory, we ended our innings on 123 with Rory going for 40 off the final ball of the innings. That gave us our largest total of the season and definitely something to bowl out.
I opened the bowling with Huw and, after a decent first over, I had a horrible second (going for 10, I think). Fortunately, Huw was more successful taking a wicket in each of his two overs as we started to put pressure on our opponents.
Jimal then produced a fine spell and, along with his brother, Liam, who turned out at very short notice, we made sure were still very much in the game at the half way point. However, we were having difficulty with one of their batsmen, who escaped three difficult catches and while he was at the crease, they always looked favourites.
Thankfully, Justin – who had been keeping wicket – stepped up to remove him, quickly followed by two more wickets to give us victory by 10 runs.
It was a great win – hopefully to be followed by a few more....
Our victory was largely down to two fine individual performances, one from the increasingly important Rory Jones and the other from skipper Justin Evans, whose three wickets late on turned the game decisively in our favour.
We batted first, having only managed to assemble a team of ten and I was an unwilling starter having come down with a nasty dose of man flu (and of course I was feeling very sorry for myself, snorting and sniffing my way through our warm up.
Anyway, we got off to a decent start through Mike Stokes and Geraint Jones, before Rory, who had suffered a blow to the head during a school match earlier in the day, went in at number four with Steve Daulby. Steve rattled his way to 15 with a succession of boundaries before losing his wicket.
I then joined Rory, who was playing well against a real mixed bag of bowlers. Although I was still feeling sorry for myself, I made 14 before attempting a suicidal second and running myself out for the second time this year. The score was around 90 at that stage with around three overs to go and, thanks to fine attacking shots from Rory, we ended our innings on 123 with Rory going for 40 off the final ball of the innings. That gave us our largest total of the season and definitely something to bowl out.
I opened the bowling with Huw and, after a decent first over, I had a horrible second (going for 10, I think). Fortunately, Huw was more successful taking a wicket in each of his two overs as we started to put pressure on our opponents.
Jimal then produced a fine spell and, along with his brother, Liam, who turned out at very short notice, we made sure were still very much in the game at the half way point. However, we were having difficulty with one of their batsmen, who escaped three difficult catches and while he was at the crease, they always looked favourites.
Thankfully, Justin – who had been keeping wicket – stepped up to remove him, quickly followed by two more wickets to give us victory by 10 runs.
It was a great win – hopefully to be followed by a few more....
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