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Using some experience

16/ 7/2008

Denton SL 162-5, Stand 145-9 - DENTON St Lawrence used their recent experience of Twenty20 cricket to claim another four points in the JW Lees Lancashire County League.

Heavy overnight rain meant that when play finally started, there was only enough time for 20 overs per side.

Saints were put into bat with Barry Williams and Paul Green making a steady start before the former was dismissed for 18.

Adam Hawley was then run out to leave Saints on 33-2 after seven overs.

Keeper Matt Wake signalled his intent by hitting the first ball he received for six, scoring 43 from only 25 balls before he was bowled by Javed.

Scott Allen joined Green and the pair continued the acceleration before Allen was out in the final over for 19.

Professional Tharanga Lakshitha was out for a duck, only for Steve Walton to hit sixes from the only two deliveries he faced.

At the other end, Green finished with an undefeated 64 from only 50 balls faced as Saints’ final total of 162-5 showed, even in the shortest game, the merit of building an innings rather than trying to hit a boundary off every ball.

Stand got off to a flying start in reply, reaching 30 from only five overs before losing their first wicket as Sutcliffe attempted a second run, only for Rashid Nadeem to send in a perfect throw and allow Wake to dismiss the opener for seven.

The dangerous Javed was then caught by Michael Batty off the next ball, but Catterall and Duerden raced along to put the visitors on 67-2 from nine overs.

However, skipper Steve Hampson brought himself into the attack and dismissed Duerden (16) with his first ball.

Catterall then reached his 50 off only 29 balls with his fifth six before becoming Hampson’s second victim courtesy of a fantastic catch by Green.

The remainder of the Stand batsmen continued the chase and it was not until Hampson claimed his sixth wicket off the fourth ball of the final over, this time to a superb catch by Allen, that victory was guaranteed for the Saints.

Holt then played out the final two balls and Stand became the first visitors this season not to be bowled out at Sycamore Park.

With second-placed Denton West losing and third-placed Glossop having their match rained off, the Saints stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

THIS Friday sees the Saints host Denton West in their final Twenty20 group game. Play starts at 6pm.