Cricket: Burton Cup dream is over for Middleton

Middleton Cricket Club

Looking to build on Saturday's victory, Middleton's second eleven faced Heywood in the Burton Cup Second Round on Sunday 16 June.

On a day where the weather was looking like it would interrupt proceedings, Middleton captain Rob Bennett won the toss and chose to bat first.

The top order found the going tough and they found themselves 58 for 1 off 17 overs.

With wickets left in the pavilion, Middleton needed to build on their start, but they stuttered and never really kicked on. It was only the last few overs that helped Middleton set a competitive total as 30 runs came from the last 4 overs and they finished on 194 for 8. Possibly 20 or 30 runs short of what they should have got.

Roger Smethurst and Wes Hunt got Heywood off to a good start as they benefited from some wayward bowling, and compiled a partnership of 78 off 21 overs before Roger Smethurst was caught at slip off Mo Shahid.

Hunt scored a well deserved half century, but was bowled by Ben Lee the very next ball.

Wickets began falling regularly, but Dominic Fawcett stood stoically against the Middleton barrage and led his team to victory with 7 balls to go, finishing unbeaten on 44.

Middleton
M Shahid c Purser b M Grogan 72
R Tierney LBW b Byrne 26
A Copeland run out 19
R Bennett LBW b D Fawcett 25
G Hughes b M Grogan 3
M Buckley b M Grogan 2
S Warren c Burrill b D Fawcett 21
B Lee c L Grogan b D Fawcett 2
T Astley not out 12
P Foden not out 1
Extras: (7w, 1b, 3lb) 11
Total: (for 8 wickets) 194

R Purser 10-1-33-0
L Grogan 10-2-29-0
D Fawcett 10-0-46-3
S Byrne 10-0-42-1
M Grogan 10-0-41-3

Heywood
R Smethurst c Buckley b Shahid 26
W Hunt b Lee 53
D Fawcett not out 44
S Burrill c Collins b Lee 9
A Fawcett c Shahid b Hughes 15
M Grogan b Hughes 4
C Booth run out 14
L Grogan not out 4
Extras: (15 w, 11lb) 26
Total: (for 6 wickets) 195

G Hughes 10-0-50-2
A Copeland 8-1-27-0
R Tierney 6-1-18-0
M Buckley 10-0-36-0
M Shahid 8-1-30-1
B Lee 7-0-23-2