Stocksbridge record opening day wins as the curtain is finally lifted on the 2020 season

Sheffield Collegiate 4th XI 174-6 (40 overs) Les Harris 2-29, Jake Vickers 2-43 Stocksbridge 1st XI 176-3 (34 overs) Jack Newton 101*, Harry Hurst 22

AS the season preparations were in full flow back in March, no one would have expected having to wait till the middle of July to kick off this year’s cricket season.

Match winner Jack Firth (left) and Paul Hargreaves

A global pandemic and a government u-turn on the return of the sport later, the first XI made the trip to Abbeydale to take on Sheffield Collegiate fourth XI.

The first string, once again led by Andrew Hibbert this season, lost the toss and to his surprise, Stocksbridge were asked to field first.

With cricket now a slightly different game, with social distancing, a slightly reduced game and regular sanitisation breaks, both sides lock horns looking to get used to the new format of our wonderful game.

Stocksbridge made an early break through with Andy Hibbert removing the young opener for single figures. The green army were hoping for a handful of early wickets to put themselves in a strong position, unfortunately this wasn’t the case.

The Collegiate pair of opener Ash and number three Stewart started to turn the game in favour of the hosts. With the new look cricket well underway, one thing that hasn’t changed was when the rain came down heavily causing a 45 minute delay.

Following the break Collegiate carried on where they left off, with both batters passing 50, a big score looked on the cards. Stocksbridge fought back well, the cunning Les Harris importantly removed Stewart for 69 and Jake Vickers removed Ash for 67.

Stocksbridge knew this was now a big chance to restrict the hosts. Harris and Vickers both claimed a second victim each with Liam Grayson also taking the sixth wicket. Collegiate finished their alloted overs posting a very respectable 174-6 which meant Stocksbridge had to bat well to achieve an opening day victory.

The Stocksbridge reply got off to an excellent start with reliable Jack Newton and opening partner for the day Chris Pickford. Both batsmen were watchful and looked to chip away at the total in good time.

Pickford just started to look in good touch before knicking behind for 19 and Stocksbridge were now 55-1 with the game poised nicely. Newton was joined by Harry Hurst and the pair set upon the run chase well. Newton was now starting to score more freely and had excellent support from Hurst.

The pair shared a stand of 87 for the second wicket before Hurst fell for 22 however had put his side in a very strong position at 142-2. Jack Lyons came and went for an entertaining 10 which brought Grayson to the crease.

Grayson was now happy to play second fiddle to Newton as the pair edged the Green Army to the finishing line.

With just three runs required to win, Newton stood unbeaten on 97, in typical Newton fashion, he smashed the ball to the boundary for four to bring up his century and also take his side to and opening day victory, Newton finishing on 101*. An excellent run chase from the Green Army saw them cruise to victory by seven wickets with six overs to spare.

Sheffield Transport 2nd XI 170 all out (39 overs) Rowan Brearley 3-50, Chris Thwaites 2-23, Paul Hargreaves 2-28 Stocksbridge 2nd XI 171-7 (39.5 overs) Matt Hague 41, Jack Firth 35*, Jack Reeves 32

Next weekend sees the 1st XI on the road again as they travel to De La Salle and the second XI host Coal Aston at Bracken Moor.