Ley
Hill v The Rising Sun, 10th August 2003
Tom Holman
Dennis "The Menace" McCarthy was the
hero of the hour as Ley Hill sneaked home by just two wickets in this enjoyable
friendly against the Rising Sun.
On the hottest day ever recorded in Britain, Paul Green lost the toss and had to
inform his men that they would be fielding in the blazing sunshine. Batting on
the same flawless pitch on which Ley Hill had hit 245 for 2 the previous day,
the Rising Sun got off to a fine start with opener David Guest hitting 79. Green
then bought a few wickets with his unique brand of slow bowling, though the
belter of a pitch negated his usual big turn. A flurry of wickets followed, as
burly allrounder McCarthy grabbed three scalps and colts Jake Wells and Ben Ford
picked up one each. The innings also included a catch and run-out double by tyro
fielder Ian Webb, and a fine display in the wicket keeper's gloves by Jamie
Morris, the latest in a long line of graduates from the Ley Hill Academy.
The target of just over 200 was a little below par in the conditions, and Hill
set about chasing it with gusto. Keith Strickland hit 28 in his usual
undemonstrative style, and opening partner Terry Rothwell picked up 36. Steve
Jones blasted a fine 45 and Wells 20, before McCarthy returned to close out the
game with a startling 33 from just 15 balls. He fell with a dozen runs still
needed, but Az and Kash Shakoor guided the team over the finish line to complete
another great weekend for the club.
The Rising Sun: 203 all out (McCarthy 3 for 26, A Shakoor 2 for 35, Green 2
for 49)
Ley Hill: 206 for 8 (Jones 45, Rothwell 36, McCarthy 33, Strickland 28, Wells
20)
Ley Hill won by two wickets
Man of the match: Dennis McCarthy, for an impressive display with bat and
ball
Clown of the match: Ian Webb, whose duck completed a pair for the weekend