On a day where every other game in the Sunday Premier Division was rained off, Clifton’s 3rd XI gained another 3pts on everyone else to move 19pts clear with a resounding victory at Denton West.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, a couple of rain interruptions and the loss of 5 overs, also resulted in the early loss of opener Oli Dunn (3). But that early set back was soon a distant memory as there was yet another 100+ run partnership from Ethan Kite and Dan Jones that had the Denton West bowlers and fielders toiling in what should have been bowler friendly conditions.
With 10 boundaries each - the pick being an exquisite cover drive from Dan the ball after reaching his half century - the rain soaked conditions cost them plenty more boundaries with the ball holding up in the outfield.
Dan departed for an excellent 64 when caught at mid wicket trying to press the accelerator, to be replaced by Owen Hogben who put on an exhibition in finding the gaps and running his batting partner to death. His run a ball 43 didn’t include a single boundary. Run Forest Run.
Ethan Kite eventually fell for a superb 72 after a mix up in the middle saw him run out, and an ominous target of 207 from 35 overs was set for the hosts.
A relatively sloppy first 10 overs from opening bowlers Elliot Hogben and Oscar Thorpe gave Denton West some hope, with the only wicket falling from the worst ball Oscar bowled, which was toe’d to Sam at mid wicket.
The introduction of regular opening bowler Oli Dunn, accompanied by Tom Worthington at the other end, wrapped the game up, aided by a direct hit run out from Dan Jones to remove the dangerous Beeby.
Oli finished with excellent figures of 4-18 from his 7 over spell, whereas Tom picked up 2-4 from his 4 over spell, which included cleaning up their captain and arguably best bat.
The other notable moment of the chase was a sublime dive and roll catch from Luke Jones that nobody in the ground was backing him to get up from with the ball clean in his hands, removing the opener for 38.
It’s the Sunday Premier Cup semi final next weekend for this rampant 3s side, and it will take a mammoth performance from someone to stop this groups march towards the Sunday Premier League and Cup double.