Match Report

Man of the Match Dan Jones succeeded in making a minefield of a wicket look like a feather bed in a bad tempered 3rd XI top of the table clash at Radcliffe. When Elliot had the temerity to ask the home side to move their single sight screen to accommodate a left hand/right hand combination, you'd think he'd asked the Radcliffe captain to stick his hand in the chip pan such was his reaction to both Elliot and the Umpire who had the cheek to suggest it was a good idea. God only know what would have happened if the skipper had dared to suggest that rolling the wicket during the interval might have been a nice idea. 

Meanwhile, on the field, the unpredictable nature of the playing surface made 2nd placed Radcliffe's 88 look like a par score as Sash Pushparajah frightened the home side's batsmen to death posting 4-7 in eight overs, supported by five bowlers with a wicket apiece and a run out that generated yet another tantrum of spoilt child proportions from the unfortunate batsman. 

The 88 all out was achieved in 34 overs, which is as well, as the time allotted for the whole innings was a mere minute or two from expiring after the fielders were tasked with moving the screens every thirty seconds.

The minefield exploded into life again after the break and suddenly the table toppers found themselves 9-3, but Dan Jones, rocking on to the back foot at every opportunity, started almost immediately, to time the ball. 

Aided by Ollie Dunn, who posted the best five runs of his career, they pushed the score to 48 with Dan contributing 39, when Ollie finally succumbed, with Oscar following the very next ball. Any remaining fears were instantly dispelled as the noisy fielders were silenced by Tom Worthington who looked like a reincarnation of former Radcliffe pro Sir Garfield, as he stroked the ball around for his 24 off 27 balls, partnering Dan to his 56 not out and securing a six wicket win that opened a nine point gap at the top of the Sunday Premier table.