Not a very merry month of May for Ticknall ...

TICKNALL Cricket Club’s 1st XI went through May losing all four league games and ending the period in a relegation position, writes David Fox

The month commenced on a wet Coronation Day with a home game against local rivals Swarkestone The game was in doubt due to the weather but, as the rain receded in the late afternoon, a reduced 30-over game was possible

Ticknall were put into bat but conditions were difficult with a wet pitch and outfield They managed 155 for six thanks to a fine 86 by Cork and a 90-run partnership with Fazal Conditions improved for Swarkestone and a quick fire 39 off 17 balls by Alex Hughes ensured that they got to the total in 22 overs losing only two wickets

Ticknall’s next opponents were Rolleston away A team, weakened by unavailability, Ticknall were put into bat but could only manage 104 with Cork again top scorer with 33 Rolleston made short work of reaching the small total in the 32nd over, losing just two wickets in the process

The next game was at The Grange against Alvaston and Boulton For the third match on the trot Ticknall lost the toss and Alvaston chose to bat A competitive total of 236 was posted for the loss of five wickets, largely due to a knock of 77 by Gary Park

Ticknall never really bothered the required total, although Hobson made 56, and they were bowled out for 148 in 46 overs

The last league game of the month was away at Spondon and, with more or less a full strength team, there were high hopes of turning the poor form around Spondon chose to bat and a good tight bowling performance saw Spondon reach 167 for seven However, five dropped catches and a 79-run partnership took them to 242 without further loss Ticknall started slowly in their innings but it appeared to be working until spin- ners Harrison (six wickets) and Gorbet (four wickets) took charge, bowling Ticknall out for 148

Ticknall’s team did have a little success in limited over competitions Although getting beaten in the National ECB cup by Cavaliers & Carrington, a young inexperienced side led by Paul Borrington showed fight and pride in defeat and did the club proud against a top national side Two fine wins in T20 in the brewery Cup and premier league cup against Abbots Bromley and Alrewas ended the month with a little smile on supporters’ faces

Ticknall 2nd team had three league games in May with one cancelled The month started with a fine win against Chellaston by 37 runs In a total of 228 for four, with Shakil making 89, Chellaston were bowled out for 191 with Joe Jacques taking five wickets

However, this win was followed by two defeats

The first against Alvaston and Boulton by 21 runs saw Ticknall all out for 183 chasing a total 210 The second defeat was against Elvaston Ticknall put on 227 for seven with Paterson making 56 and Siddiqi 58, but their opponents passed this total in 36 overs for the loss of four wickets

Ticknall 3rd team also had three games in May, drawing two and winning the last game The first draw saw their opponents Swarkestone make 251 for seven in 40 overs and Ticknall held out making 180 for seven after their 40 overs thanks to Read making 74

The second draw was against Victory CC, who made 213 for eight in 40 overs Ticknall replied with 133 for eight thanks to Hetherington’s 60 Their only win of the month was against Darley Abbey Ticknall made 242 for five with Hetherington making 60 and Iqbal 51 Darley Abbey were bowled out for 65 with Lucas taking five wickets for nine runs