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Rain rescues Moonrakers

26/ 6/2008

MIDDLETON’S match against Unsworth, at Pole Lane last Saturday, was one which shall forever live in the memory of those who witnessed it - and not for cricketing reasons.

After being rolled over for a very disappointing 91 the Moonrakers were saved by the game being called off due to rain, with Unsworth needing only five runs for victory.

A delayed start meant the match was reduced to 36 overs per side.

And but for skipper John Punchard and wicket-keeper Andrew Deakin the Middleton total could have been a lot worse.

The pair added a vital 29 runs for the eighth wicket.

Martin Roberts and Steve Davey were both out to poor shots early on after being tied down by Eddie Shah (three for 29) and overseas amateur Love (five for 47).

Werner Coetsee and Grant Jones looked set, but both were out after reaching double figures.

A score of 37 for four quickly became 47 for six. Stuart Fitton was somewhat unluckily given out stumped, while Sam Warren was caught behind from a faint bottom edge after leaving a ball which dragged back into him sharply.

Punchard then used all his experience, and Deakin grafted hard with his skipper. It could have been a lot worse if Punchard's first-ball chance had been held at cover.

After Punchard was dismissed for 27, with the total on 84, Dale Highton and Deakin quickly succumbed to the leg spin of Richards.

Unsworth opened their reply looking to finish the game before the rain returned.

John Wiggans and Shariff attacked brutally before Wiggans was bowled by a pearl from Phil Tomlinson for 16.

Wayne Madsen then joined in as Rick Valentine (0 for 26) and Tomlinson (1 for 31) bore the bunt.

Punchard then changed his bowlers and put himself and spin-king Werner Coetsee on, a move which proved decisive in the context of the game.

With only 14 runs needed victory looked certain for the home side.

But when Punchard removed Shariff on 78, then Coetsee dismissed Madsen on 79, things became different.

With rain falling heavily, logic assumed that Unsworth would try as hard as they could to finish the game as quickly as they could.

But the rest of the batsmen were seemingly content to plod along.

Punchard and Coetsee took another three wickets in quick succession, but the rain became heavier and off the players went.

Middleton

M Roberts c Barlow b Love 5

S Davey c Barlow b Love 2

W Coetsee b Shah 15

G Jones c Richards b Love 10

S Fitton st Barlow b Shah 6

J Punchard c Barlow b Shah 27

S Warren c Barlow b Love 0

R Valentine c Barlow b Love 1

A Deakin b Richards 12

D Highton lbw Richards 0

P Tomlinson not out 1

Extras 12

Total 91

Bowling: S Shah 17-6-29-3; D Love 14-2-47-5; L Richards 2.4-0-11-2.

Unsworth

A Shariff c Valentine b Punchard 29

J Wiggans b Tomlinson 16

W Madsen c Tomlinson b Punchard 30

D Love b Coetsee 0

P Entwistle run out 1

Z Anwar st Deakin b Punchard 0

A Blake not out 0

S Shah not out 0

Extras 11

Total (for 6 wickets) 87

Bowling: P Tomlinson 4-0-31-1; R Valentine 4-0-26-0; J Punchard 4.2-0-20-3; W Coetsee 4-1-8-1.

MIDDLETON seconds’ match against Unsworth was eventually abandoned as a draw.

Richard Fitton hit 50 off 24 deliveries as Middleton totalled 169.

With two wickets down Unsworth were offered the light and took it.