Middleton fall short again

Former Middleton skipper John Punchard won the toss and decides to bat on a wicket that was green and damp due to the rain during the week

Middleton struck in the eighth over when George Walker had Liam Mason caught by, Middleton professional, Michael Smith for 15 with the score on 32, after having survived a run out by Smith.

7 runs later Middleton had their second wicket when Walsh was caught by Danny Royle off Mark Buckley, also for 15 Royton professional, Luke Proctor and Liam Brown took the score to 60 before Brown was run out for 9.

Punchard was the next to go, Royle taking his second catch off Dale Highton for 14. Highton had Connor Hey stumped by Scott Stanworth and Mark Buckley picked up the wickets of Simon Webb caught by Reece Jones and Matthew Hodson bowled as Royton finished on 203 for 8 off their allotted overs

Proctor was once again the thorn in Middleton's side as he was run out in the final over for a fine 105 off 112 balls with 8 fours and 5 sixes.

Skipper Ste Davey dropped himself down the order and promoted Martin Roberts to opener alongside Scott Stanworth, a move that did not work out when Roberts was bowled by Hodson for 0 with the score on 2.

Middleton had taken the score to 31 when disaster struck, Smith being caught by Punchard off Matthew Smith for 19.

Grant Jones went for 1, caught Mason again off Smith and Middleton were 44 for 3. The next wicket to fall was that of Scott Stanworth, brilliantly stumped down the legside by Webb off a wide ball for 27.

Skipper Ste Davey and George Walker compiled a stand of 46 before Davey danced down the track and was stumped for 25 off Punchard with the score on 111.

18 runs later Reece Jones was LBW to give Smith his third wicket. Danny Royle and Walker took the score to 165 before Walker was caught behind by Webb off Punchard for 45.

Highton went for 0, Buckley for 2 and John McMahon for 0, all to Punchard to give him 5 wickets against his former club as Middleton were all out for 172 with more than 8 overs left and leaving Royle stranded on 13 not out.