Middleton Cricket Club - Middleton win in Local Derby

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After a delayed start due to the morning rain, Middleton captain, Ste Davey won the toss and elected to bat. He once again opened the innings with Scott Stanworth
Together they put on a magnificent stand of 109 in 23 overs before Davey was caught by Chris Kaye off the bowling of Heywood's professional Rajat Bhatia for 55.

Nine runs later Stanworth followed for 50 being bowled. During this partnership the players left the field for 45 minutes due to another rain shower.

Deputy professional Michael Smith and Martin Roberts took the score to 156 when Smith was caught by Curtis Maguire for 16, once again off the bowling of Kaye. And 3 runs later, Roberts took the walk back to the pavilion after being caught by Andy Dawson for 29 off 22 balls to give Kaye his third wicket.

One run later Reece Jones called his brother, Grant Jones, through for a quick single only to send him back and Grant was run out for 2. Reece made amends though, by scoring 22 not out off 17 balls as Middleton finished 188 for 5 with George Walker 6 not out.

Heywood got off to a steady start with captain, Bobby Cross, and Ross Zellem opening the batting and they took the score to 31 when Grant Jones bowled Zellem for 8.

Danny Pawson joined his captain and the score had reached 75 when George Walker had Pawson caught behind by Scott Stanworth for 17.

Seventeen runs later Walker got the prize wicket of Bhatia, well caught by Grant Jones for 8 and Heywood were 92 for 3 needing 81 off 12 overs after being set a revised target of 174 off 30 overs due to the earlier rain.

With the score on 98, Dale Highton had Maguire caught by Smith for 1 and one run later the two teamed up again with Smith taking a superb catch to get rid of, overseas amateur, Travis Pearce, also for 1.

Lee Grogan helped Cross to take the score to 130 before Cross was caught in the deep by Danny Royle off Grant Jones for a fine 62. Grogan tried to keep his team in the game with some lusty blows but the game was up for Heywood when he danced down the track to Highton, only to be stumped by Stanworth for 43 off only 32 balls.

Andy Dawson was the last man to go, again stumped by Stanworth off Highton for 9. As Heywood finished 11 runs off their target. Another good all round performance and a welcome 4 points.

-Next week sees a double header of fixtures with the 2nd XI taking on Rochdale at home on Sunday. And on Sunday the 1st XI take on Werneth at Towncroft.