Cricket: Shahid sets the standard for Middleton

Middleton Cricket Club

At a glorious Saturday at Towncroft, the Second Eleven welcomed, title challengers, Clifton.

Upon winning the toss, Middleton batted first and the innings was dominated by a superb knock by Mo Shahid, who finished on 106 not out as Middleton finished on 209 for 8.

Chris Lord and Jim Ainscough opened the batting for Clifton, and against some excellent bowling by Middleton accumulated an opening partnership of 4, before Ainscough fell to the bowling of Copeland for 16. And that was the story of the Clifton innings, batsmen got starts but failed to build on their work.

With 10 overs left, the batting side required 60 to win. But the run rate kept rising, and so did the pressure as the wickets started falling.

Even though, going into the 46th over, Clifton required 35 runs for victory, the pressure switched into the fielding side and the mistakes suddenly start appearing from the fielding side.

Runs began flowing, as Rob Reade and Harry Southern were turning ones into two and putting the emphasis onto the fielders. Reade was run out for 16 after going for a second run that was not there.

With one wicket remaining, Clifton needed 12 off the last over. Due to bowling restrictions, Rob Bennett had to bowl the last over himself.

The batters' scampered a single first ball, the second ball was a leg side wide.

The third ball was struck high and straight, but Shahid dropped the catch and the ball trickled over for four. Then they ran two off the fourth ball. The fifth ball was another leg side wide, and the sixth ball brought about four byes.

With two balls left, the batting side needed two to win. Middleton brought the field in, hoping Southern would mistime an aerial shot, and this is what happened and he hit it straight at Copeland, who was at mid-off.

This brought on mass-celebration from the Middleton players and fans alike, as they claimed their first victory since the Burton Cup first round.

Middleton 209 for 8
M Shahid - 106*
R Tierney - 3 for 44

Clifton 208 all out
I Morris - 39
R Reade - 3 for 47