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Wood Cup wonders

25/ 6/2003

MIDDLETON moved into the semi-finals of the Lees Bitter Wood Cup on Sunday with a comprehensive defeat of Crompton at Towncroft.

Their seven-wicket success was mainly due to stand-in professional Chandika who scored an unbeaten century.

Crompton won the toss and chose to bat first. They were soon in trouble, as overseas amateur Francois Vermaak was caught behind by Tommy Astley after slashing at a delivery from Chandika.

Anwar and Graham steadied the innings, but with the score on 71 Anwar had a lucky escape when he edged a delivery from Graham over the head of the slips.

Middleton's breakthrough came in the 22nd over. Nigel Doyle drew Darren Graham out of his crease for Tommy Astley to whip off the bails. From then on it was downhill all the way for Crompton. They lost eight wickets for the addition of only 51 runs and were all out for 176.

All the Middleton bowlers played their part, none more so than skipper John Punchard whose 10 overs cost only 20 runs. Anthony Graham claimed three good wickets, and Nigel Doyle returned figures of four for 41.

Middleton's reply was sure and steady. Steve Davey and Chandika put on 73 before Davey was bowled by Anwar for 24. Jimmy Ryan scored 29 before he was stumped. By that time Middleton were in sight of victory. The Moonrakers lost Kevin Dufeu for 11, but the match was all but over. Punchard and Chandika saw it through.