In the evening August sun, on Lancashire’s County Ground at Liverpool Cricket Club, Dalton’s Midweek XI (including two U15’s, four U18’s and three over 50’s) and marshalled by skipper Ken Gossage, did the club proud in a ‘20-overs-each’ match against ‘Liverpool Stragglers’, a team entirely consisting of Liverpool Cricket Club players.
In an eventful start the home side were shocked by Barry Fletcher’s 3-21 and David Norbury’s 3-16, that included a Paul Bain catch (and simultaneous dislocated finger) and a quick Albert Bain stumping.
After some good shots the Straggler’s Aussie pro then attempted to reverse sweep Chris Comerford (2-32) only to fall to another Paul Bain catch (with finger now re-located). Although some boundaries followed, a Graham Walker wicket (1-24), more good catches by Michael Bain and Walker, and some fine outfield fielding from Brian Norbury and Mark Norbury, all helped to restrict the opposition to 130-9, a very good performance considering the fast outfield, the Stragglers competent batting line up, and the excellent batting strip (the square was hosting a Lancs 2nd XI match only 6 days later)
Comerford (10) and Walker (16 –including a superbly timed 6) opened positively and were followed by a quick-fire 13 from Fletcher. Dave Halsey (literally filling Ken Gossage’s boots !) surprised the ‘pro’ with a first ball boundary, and his 34no was well supported by the quickly-run singles with Gossage and David Norbury ( an uncompromising 11), the haste of which caused concern to the Straggler’s captain, but eventually the Beaconites fell short with their creditable score of 108-5.
Nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable game and unforgettable experience of playing on a County Ground with all its expected facilities - including an energy-sapping trek up to the changing rooms on the 3rd floor.
To participate in these excellent Midweek games, Dalton Cricket Club players should ‘sign up’ on the pink ‘Friendly XI Availability’ sheets in the home changing room.
