Uttoxeter Online Magazine

Uttoxeter’s first XI’s cup campaign got off to a tremendous start as they beat Alfreton by 71 runs on Sunday. Despite missing one or two regular players including Captain Jon Walmsley the racecourse side bounced back from Saturday’s league disappointment.

Michael Skelham took over the reigns as skipper winning the toss and electing to bat first. Despite a flat looking track under the sunshine the home started badly losing openers Whitehead and Wheeldon both bowled early, but the experienced pair of Tony Hayes and Ian Bailey made hay. Bailey looked back to something like his best form smashing six huge sixes in his 55 while Hayes cruised to his half century with some imperious strokes.

The initial target of 250 though looked distant when after Bailey’s departure, Mellor, Cottier, Stewart and Attwell all failed to trouble the scorers, it was down to Alan Bennett with a well made 20 and Skelham (8*) to support Hayes on his way to superb century, his 116* his best for some years, meant Uttoxeter closed on a strong 264-8 of their 45 overs.

Alfreton, facing a big total needed a good start and got it due to some wayward bowling from the usually reliable skipper and Taylor. It was the double change of Bennett and Adam Cottier that swung things back into the home sides favour as they produced some excellent tight bowling which was backed up by fine fielding. Cottier claimed two wickets his second a beautiful in swinging Yorker and Bennett one thanks to Bailey’s catch.

Spin twins Richard Stewart and Hayes continued the fine bowling giving the away side little opportunity to hit the boundaries they required, Hayes’s impressive day continued as he claimed a wicket. Skelham and Taylor returned to see out the innings as Alfreton could only muster 194 well short of the home sides total as Uttoxeter cruised into the next round.