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At the Core of seconds' showing

Matthew Collins
10/ 7/2008

MIDDLETON seconds’ match against Milnrow was dominated by one player - Daniel Core.

He achieved impressive bowling figures of four for 30 then played a superb innings of 84.

Milnrow made first use of the wicket and got off to a flying start, their openers throwing the bat at anything wide.

Justin Fletcher and Chris Whiteman raced to 40 before Raza Hussain had Whiteman caught behind for 16.

The next wicket was down to a good bit of captaincy.

After being hit for two successive fours Rick Valentine took Core out of the slips and put him on "cow corner."

Fletcher obliged by hitting the next delivery into Core’s hands.

The vital wickets of Brian Defty and Ben Cunliffe were captured cheaply, and Milnrow were 95 for four.

Rashid Hussain then got a pearler from Valentine and could only offer a catch to Core.

A bit of resistance was provided by Tom Hicklin and Nathan Sinkinson who put 40 on the board in quick time, but their partnership was broken by Fesal Hussain who had Hicklin caught.

Hussain then ousted James Connolly next ball to put himself on a hat-trick.

Chris Dempsey denied him by somehow keeping out a crashing yorker.

Valentine then went in for the kill and put himself back into the attack, but the final wicket fell to Core.

The Moonrakers suffered an early blow when Fesal Hussain was trapped leg before second ball.

But Core and George Walker then put on 69 before Walker was caught at point for 40.

Middleton also lost the wickets of Raza Hussain and Currie, but Core continued to show what a quality player he is and helped take the score to a winning 176 for four.