First team fall just short as seconds make it three in a row

Parkhead first XI 174 all out (37.1 overs) Jake Vickers 3-38 Stocksbridge first XI 154 all out (38.2 overs) Jack Newton 46

WITH the sun beating down over the glorious Bracken Moor, Stocksbridge first XI welcome last years league champions Parkhead for what was set to be an excellent contest. Parkhead won the toss and elected to bat first.

Despite winning the toss, things didn’t go to plan for Parkhead, both opening batters went in quick succession. In an unusual tactic, both openers attempted quick singles to Joe Hibbert at short fine leg on two separate occasions to hand Stocksbridge two early wickets.

Andy Hibbert restricted the visitors and quickly got his first wicket of the day as Park- head were now three down. Change bowlers Jake Vickers and Liam Grayson came into the attack and both grabbed a wicket each and Parkhead now looked in trouble at 38-5. But in typical Parkhead style they weren’t going to go down without a fight, Thompson and Turner offered some resilience and Parkhead were now 100-5. Vickers then removed both Thompson and Turner in the same over, Jon Pickford taking an excellent catch to remove Thompson and Stocksbridge now firmly in the driving seat again.

Unfortunately for Stocksbridge, Parkhead batter Dave Spillman had other ideas, through a mixture of brutal hitting and riding his luck Spillman added a quick half century before falling shortly after but Parkhead had managed to scrap up to a more then respectable 174 all out.

At the halfway stage both sides now felt that they could win the game, Parkhead were happy with 174 on the board, particularly from the trouble they we’re in before. And Stocksbridge knew that the ever reliable batting track at Bracken Moor meant they had an excellent chance.

Stocksbridge it was who got off to a good start, openers Matt Price and Jack Newton were watchful and looked to score when possible. This week Price was playing more of the aggressor as he struck a few early boundaries, couple of fours were followed by a lovely straight six.

Price was just starting to look comfortable before Turner got a big breakthrough as one snuck through Price’s defence and Stocksbridge were now one down. Next in was Chris Pickford and he joined Newton.

The pair batted well together adding valuable runs and began to wear the Parkhead bowlers down and Stocksbridge were now 90-1. The turning point came when both Newton (46) and Pickford (20) fell in quick succession, this gave Parkhead a sniff of blood and they suddenly went up a gear. The Stocksbridge middle order was quickly wiped out and now Stocksbridge were 110-8 with six overs to go.

A late rally from Joe Hibbert and Jake Vickers made Parkhead sweat when Stocksbridge got up to 153-8 with three overs to go. Joe Hibbert was then bowled looking for quick runs and his father Andy Hibbert soon after as Stocksbridge fell 20 runs short as they were all out for 154 in what in truth was an excellent game of cricket.

Hallam fifth XI 113 all out (36.3 overs) Will Cavanagh 3-18 Rowan Brearley 3-24

Stocksbridge 2nd XI 114-1 (16 overs) Chris Ogley 40* Jack Reeves 30* Elliott Freeman 25

Stocksbridge CC second team travelled to Castle Dyke to play Hallam CC 5th team looking to maintain their 100% start to the season. Hallam won the toss and chose to bat and were soon in trouble with a great opening spell from youngster Rowan Brearley and Will Cavanagh left the home team 40-5.

After last week’s poor catching performance normal service was resumed with two catches from Matt Hague and one from Jack Murfin led the way. Middle order runs from Luke Hopkins moved the home team towards some sort of target until a smart run out from Jack Firth and wickets from Paul Hargreaves, Les Harris, Will Cavanagh and captain Jack Murfin to bowl Hallam out for 113.

Stocksbridge’s reply was positive and brisk with an opening partnership of 60 between Elliot Freeman and Chris Ogley put the leaders in a strong position. Then some fluid stroke play from the in form Jack Reeves took Stocksbridge to victory in just 16 overs and stay top of the table.

Next weekend sees the second XI host Baslow with the first XI still facing some confusion as the when they will lock horns with Totley.