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Saints stumped by West's bowlers

14/ 5/2008

Denton West 198ao, Denton SL 85ao - DENTON West bounced back in style from last week’s defeat against reigning champions Prestwich with a performance of real style and quality against their fiercest rivals at Windsor Park.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, West skipper Gareth Senior soon departed the scene as he was well held in the gully by Scott Allen.

That brought Scott Kirwin to the crease to join Mitch McAllister and the pair added 45, giving West a solid foundation at 50-1.

With Saints in need of a breakthrough, it was newly-arrived professional Tharanga who found it, bowling McAllister (27) with a grubber before Kirwin (28) went in the same fashion.

With the visitors sensing a chance of more wickets, Mike Berry (38) and Paul Turner (25) added 50, but when those two fell in the space of an over and Jason Stringer was unluckily run out, West were faltering at 125-6.

Andy O’Brien (25) and Glenn Bullock (18) produced a timely 45 partnership before the innings ended with Jordan Williams LBW off the final ball.

Saints set about the total in fine style with Adam Hawley (24) and Paul Green taking the score stylishly to 40 for the first wicket.

West were desperate for a breakthrough and, just like the buses, three came all at once as Hawley was LBW, Williams snicked one behind and Wake was caught by Senior in a 13-ball spell of three wickets for one run.

Allen then went cheaply, followed by Tharanga, and once Turner accounted for Green (30) and Walton, Saints’ tail offered little resistance.

Stringer ended with figures of 4-26 well supported by Kirwin (3-25) and Turner (3-12).