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Spinners win the day

Sam Warren
12/ 6/2008

MIDDLETON opened their JW Lees Twenty20 campaign last Friday night with a home match against Rochdale.

Having won the toss Steve Davey decided to bat first, but he must have rued the decision when he was bowled by Scott Butterworth in the first over.

Davey’s dismissal was the beginning of a dreadful spell for the Moonrakers who quickly slipped to 32 for four.

Scott Stanworth was next to go, caught off Butterworth with the score on 14, and when professional Werner Coetsee was run out eight runs later the Middleton faithful must have thought things couldn’t get any worse.

They did. Jimmy Ryan was cartwheeled for six to leave the Moonrakers in dire straits.

Overseas amateur Matthew Currin and Stuart Fitton got their heads down and began to build a solid partnership.

Fitton’s innings blossomed into what was a match winning knock of 37. Currin also looked impressive and hit a massive six towards the Towncroft Avenue end before falling to a one-handed wonder catch by Dominic Ayres for 25.

Fitton and the lower order continued the progress, scoring a vital 32 in the last three overs, and Middleton closed on 123.

Davey needed something big from his strike bowlers, and he got what he wanted as Thomas Read and Currin ripped into the Rochdale top order with a fine display of seam bowling.

Richard Fitton caught Ayres in the first over, off Read, and when the all-rounder found Andrew Dawson’s outside edge an over later the visitors were in a spot of bother at 11 for two.

Currin then removed Butterworth for five, and it was 16 for three.

Twenty runs were then added before Read claimed another wicket, in his final over, to finish with brilliant Twenty20 figures of three for 10.

Spin twins Dale Highton and Coetsee were then introduced to the attack, and both claimed wickets with the total on 40. Hard hitting Alcindo Holder was the key, stumped by Stanworth off Coetsee’s bowling.

With Holder gone, Rochdale’s big chance had gone. But they didn’t capitulate, and 50 runs were added by Ahmed and Smith.

The tail tried its best, but it was not enough and Rochdale finished on 109 for nine.

Middleton's next Twenty20 fixture is on Friday 20 June when they travel to play Heywood.