Scott Rees and Co were ‘edged out’ in the Annual Sponsors Challenger Cricket Match against Skelmersdale Cricket Club at Scott Rees Park last night, losing by just 12 runs in a tightly fought contest.
After winning the toss, Captain Jamie Hornby elected to put the hosts into bat, in the hope that they could skittle their opponents out for a minimal score and give themselves a good target to claim victory.
Scott Rees and Co’s excellent bowling attack allowed them to do exactly that as Lee Givnan and David Smith got in among the wickets with two a piece and Adam Willetts contributed the ball of the night to cause further problems to their opponents.
This, complimented with some superb fielding from the likes of Hornby, Jay Bryne and Alum Ullah, who all took outstanding catches, meant that the hosts were restricted to just 118 all out.
Scott Rees and Co went into bat with a sense of vigour and confidence that this could finally claim a win against Skelmersdale CC.
The innings opened with double figure scores for Hornby, Chris Parkin and Jay Byrne as they made their way towards the 50 run mark but as their run total increased, the number of wickets standing decreased at the same time.
Cue the arrival of James Macefield to the crease. Boasting a batting average of 41 going into the game he was determined to protect that record and rescue the faltering situation around him.
What followed was a batting masterclass as he set about matching the firm’s overall total on his own to take the overall score over the hundred mark and in the process managed to dispatch the wicket hungry Skelmersdale bowling attack for the only two sixes of the night.
With the applause from the pavilion ringing out for Macefield, Scott Rees and Co had received a baptism of fire they needed to get back into the game and the belief was there once again.
Sadly the light and conditions were not and in the end they fell an agonising 12 runs short of a memorable victory.
This was a tremendous effort by Scott Rees & Co as they set a record top score with the bat for the second year in succession.
The man of the match award was deservedly given to James Macefield for his imperious batting display and there were plenty of positives all round to suggest that the team could topple their opponents in next year’s fixture.
Scott Rees & Co Associate, Alum Ullah, said afterwards: “This was the best I had seen us field and bowl for years and very encouraging. We seem to get stronger every year. Most importantly, the match was played in great spirit and we had the usual banter that accompanies such occasions.”
A special thanks also has to go to Paul Keevil, who took his camera down to get some shots of the action on the night and of course to Skelmersdale Cricket Club who put on their usual excellent standard of hospitality.
Team: Jamie Hornby (c), Jay Bryne, Alum Ullah, Chris Parkin, James Macefield, Steven Gregory-Payne, Adam Willetts, Lee Givnan, David Smith, Dan Curwen
Scott Rees and Co Man of the Match: James Macefield
Image source(s)
1. Pixabay; Lisa Scott; https://pixabay.com/en/cricket-batter-sport-bat-game-724617/