AN OFF DAY IN THE FIELD FOR 1s
Clifton CC 1st XI welcomed Bradshaw CC 1st XI on Saturday and, after winning the toss, elected to bowl first on a surface offering early movement. Despite a strong start with the ball, a mix of dropped chances and misfields ultimately cost Clifton dearly in the field, contributing a costly 40/ 50 runs directly through fielding errors and allowing Bradshaw to post a competitive 278-9 from their allotted 50 overs.
The innings was dominated by an outstanding knock from Bradley Yates, who anchored the Bradshaw effort with a superbly controlled 129from 109 balls, including 14 boundaries and four maximums. Yates built his innings with composure, rotating the strike intelligently and capitalising on anything loose, especially as Clifton’s discipline in the field waned in the middle overs.
Support came from professional Cian Dickinson, who contributed a solid 58 off 66, and Holt, who added a patient 22.Clifton’s bowling effort was led by Finlay Testa, who finished with 4-65 from his 11 overs, finding crucial breakthroughs late in the innings. Ben Hamilton chipped in with 3-69, while Ollie Sleight and Danny Higham picked up a wicket apiece. However, with Bradshaw boosted by fielding lapses and extras (17 in total), the visitors posted a total that was always going to be a challenge.
In reply, Clifton’s top order made a steady start. Thereturning Jack Stanley played positively for 51 (67), while overseasplayer Matthew Van Dyk provided a patient anchor role, scoring 58off 108 balls. Their 102-run opening partnership laid a solid platform, but theinnings lost momentum in the middle overs.
Sam Dorsey added a brisk 40 from 43 balls, but aflurry of wickets saw Clifton slip from 164-2 to 207-6, with Bradshaw’sspinners turning the screw. Despite a late push from Ben Hamilton (28) and DannyHigham (15 off 9), the required rate proved too steep.
Bradshaw’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Jordan Mason claiming 3-54,and Ross Dickinson taking 3-63 in a tidy spell. Clifton finished on 239-7, falling short by 39 runs in a valiant but ultimately unfulfilled chase.
Clifton will take heart from the strong start with the bat and some promising spells with the ball but will rue the lapses in the field that turned a potentially chaseable target into an uphill battle. They'll look to tighten things up ahead of tomorrow’s cup fixture and build on the positives from an otherwise competitive performance.