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 weather finally started picked up but it was not to be the Uttoxeter 1st teams’ day.

It all started well with captain Jon Walmsley winning the toss and choosing to field first. The away team performed an excellent job in the field restricting the home side to a 158-6 off their 46 overs with notable performances with the ball from Dave Hunt who took another 3 wickets and both Tony Hayes, Nial Taylor and Michael Skelham picking up 1. It was a fantastic effort in the field to restrict a good looking batting line up to a modest total.

The batting got off to a good start with Rob Birch (13) and Pete Atwell (12) both making starts. But Uttoxeter never really get going. No one seemed to be able to stay at the crease and see the side home. Both Tim Powell and Marcus Mellor got 19 but the wickets just fell to regularly leaving the lower order a little too much to do.
Uttoxeter finished on 150 All Out falling just short of what would have been an excellent victory, instead the side left with bitter taste in their mouths, thinking what might have been.

The 1st team then took on Alferton in the Wright Cup on Sunday before next week’s league encounter against West Hallam.

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.

Uttoxeter Cricket Club will be posting here in the 2010 season

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