Middleton's season ends in defeat

On a damp wicket at the Pollards Middleton’s season came to an end with another defeat away at Oldham. Short of players due to cry offs and having no Deputy Professional due to injury, Middleton went into the game trying to restore some pride after a dismal last 3rd of the season.

Oldham captain Chris Mcdonnell won the toss and elected to bowl in the hope the weather would hold off so that Oldham stalwart Melvin Whittle could get the 5 wickets he needed to reach 100 wickets in what was to be his last game before retiring from the game at the sprightly age of 63.

Middleton struggled on a wicket that was seaming all over the place and with the score on 11 Whittle got his first wicket when he had Davey LBW for 2 and with only 1 more run added he then bowled Martin Roberts for 6. Five runs later he got his third wicket that of George Walker LBW for 3 and when Grant Jones topped edged one to Keelan Gossayn. Whittle only needed one more for his 100 and Middleton were rocking at 18/4.

Danny Royle and Dale Highton put together a stand of 52 in 16 overs to drag Middleton back in the game before Royle perished in the pursuit of runs for his top score of the season of 33 caught at the second attempt by Craig Taylor to give Whittle his 100th wicket. Mark Buckley joined Highton and they added another 31 as Middleton finished with 101/5 off 35 overs with Highton unbeaten on 24 and Buckley 16 no off 15 balls. The feeling was that the total was about 30 runs short.

Oldham opened with Abid Fazil and Paul Thompson and got off to the start they needed with some early loose bowling but with the score on 20 Royle bowled Thompson for 3. The score had moved on to 42 when Royle picked up his second wicket courtsey of a fine catch low down by Alex Copeland.

McDonnell joined Fazil and despite being dropped early in his innings took the score to 71 before Fazil was caught by Grant Jones of Mark Buckley for 27. 8 runs later the same duo accounted for Taylor and when Highton had Craig Joy stumped by Andrew Deakin for 1. Oldham were 84/5 and Middleton were back in the game, but that was to be it for Middleton as McDonnell and Whittle saw Oldham with almost 6 overs to spare.

A disappointing end to the season for the Moonrakers but with hope for next season after the signing of new professional, South African Michael Smith.