Uttoxeter Online Magazine

Uttoxeter Cricket Club v Spondon (home)

It was a bitterly cold and grey day down at the racecourse and when Jon Walmsley lost the toss it could have turned into a very long day!

Rob Birch however had other ideas, although losing Pete Atwell to a jaffer early Birch held firm to bat for the entire innings. He was very ably supported by the rest of the line up with Hayes and Birch putting on 109 for the 2nd wicket! With Hayes yet again looking in top form, playing some supreme shots in his 66. This left Uttoxeter in a strong position of 112-1 off 30 overs, the perfect platform to build a demanding 1st innings score on a good pitch.

Bailey set about his batting in his usual powerful style putting on a quick 61 again with Birch including a succession of boundaries in his 35.

Powell and Cottier fell in quick succession both looking to accelerate the scoring and build on Uttoxeters excellent start. Walmsley batted well in support of Rob Birch and made a solid looking 24 before attempting 1 too many quick singles! Alan Bennett came in and didn’t face a ball but ran well for the final few balls again support Birch who completed a fine innings 75 Not Out guiding Uttoxeter to 242-6 off their allotted 46 overs.

The bowlers got back to the good form they showed in the first game with Dave Hunt bowling a great 14 over spell, swinging the ball both ways and causing all sorts of trouble for the batsman. Hunt finished with figures of 4-46. At the other end Skelham was again looking dangerous, bowling the opener Baker and having captain Bassett caught by Rob Birch who continued his excellent form with the bat behind the stumps taking 4 catches! One a diving catch to remove the dangerous looking Jeffery who smashed his way to 38 with some excellent lusty blows!

 Adam Cottier came on as 1st change and looked to restrict the Spondon batsmen, building up some good pressure on the away side finishing with figures of 6 Overs 4 Maidens 3 Runs for 2 Wickets! Exceptional!

Walmsley replaced Hunt at the top end and was bowling well with little luck, a few chances went down and some other chances just went wide of fielders.
The Spondon batsman were now looking to hang onto a game which Uttoxeter really should have had in the bag and with youngsters Read and Harper hanging in, facing some hostile bowling from Skelham and some excellent swing bowling from Alan Bennett. It took some deception from Tony Hayes to remove Read to set up a tense final few overs.

Unfortunately the Spondon lower order saw the final few overs out and leave Uttoxeter what might have been if a couple more chances had stuck! The match finished as a winning draw to Uttoxeter, scoring 20 points. With each game the side are feeling more and more at home in the new league and the higher standard.

Full scoreboard etc. is available here : http://uttoxeter.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11003582 

Next week sees the Uttoxeter side travel to Derby Congs, who pipped them to the league last year.