Stocksbridge in control as Hathersage pushed aside

Stocksbridge 1st XI 208 all out (Jack Newton 75, Liam Grayson 54) Hathersage 1st XI 71 all out (Joe Hibbert 3-20, Les Harris 2-8, Jake Vickers 2-12)

IN the final league of the season, Stocksbridge Cricket Club’s first XI welcomed Hathersage to Bracken Moor as they looked to cement a second place finish in Division One.

Stand-in captain for the day Jake Vickers won the toss and elected to bat first in preparation for next week’s cup final.

The innings got off to a excellent start with openers Matt Price and Jack Newton sharing an opening stand of 89 before Price fell for 18. Newton, as destructive as ever, continued to pile the runs on and Stocksbridge looked set for a strong total. Newton eventually fell for 75 and Hathersage were now hoping to slow the run rate down.

Liam Grayson came in at number four and there was no let up for the bowlers. Grayson also foundregular boundaries and he soon reached his half century also before falling for 54.

The lower order rallied for Stocksbridge with contributions coming from Harry Hurst, Jake Vickers and Les Harris as Stocksbridge took their total past 200. Harris was the last man to go as Stocksbridge were bowled out 208.

Stocksbridge were now well in the ascendancy and confident of defending a considerable total. Opening bowlers Joe and Andy Hibbert were reliable as ever. Joe Hibbert was the first to join the party as he removed the Hathersage opener in the early stages.

Hibbert continued to cause problems and ended his opening spell with figures of 3-20. Andy Hibbert was reliable as always and kept it tight and was also able to pick up a wicket in his spell.

The change bowlers Jake Vickers and Les Harris came into the action and Stocksbridgedominance was increasingly clear. Both Vickers and Harris picked up two wickets each and ended with figures of 2-12 and 2-8 respectively.

Ant Siddall came into the attack and took the final wicket of the game in his first over as Hathersage were bowled out for just 71.

Hathersage 2nd XI 134 all out (Jack Murfin 5 wickets) Stocksbridge 2nd XI 114 all out

Next week sees both sides taking part in respective cup finals. The first XI travel to Hollinsend take on Parkhead in the final of the Brian Winston Premier Cup. The second XI make the journey to Sheffield Civil Service to take on Sheffield Centralians in the final of the Phil Denniff Intermediate Cup. Best of luck to both our sides and hopefully we can bring home double cup glory.