Winning weekend

The 1st XI welcomed Sheffield University Staff to Bracken Moor, as three weeks of bad weather was replaced with welcome sunshine.

Captain Andy Hibbert won yet another toss and selected to bowl first. Things couldn’t have started any better for the 1st XI. Hibbert and Jake Vickers shared the new ball and the pair of them struck in their first overs.

University Staff were off to a terrible start, slumping to 18-6 with only 16 overs being bowled. Liam Grayson and Joe Hibbert came into attack looking to back up the excellent start with the ball from Hibbert senior and Vickers. A 30 run 9th wicket partnership took Staff up to a score of 63. However they were bowled out for a disappointing 68 with both Hibbert junior and Grayson picking up two wickets each. A superb bowling and fielding display from the 1st XI who looked firm favourites to take the victory.

Jack Newton and Matt Price opened up the 1st XI and Newton dispatched the second over of the game for 22 runs. From there they made easy work of run chase with Newton in full flow and Price anchoring from the other end. After 10.1 overs the game was over and the score easily chased down. Newton finished on a well made 52* with 8 fours and 1 six, backed up by Price who finished unbeaten on 14*. A dominate and commanding performance from the 1st XI who make it three from three in the league”

Stocksbridge 2nd XI travelled to Sheffield Centralians looking to avenge their lacklustre defeat against Baslow last time out. Stocksbridge were put in to bat, with the opening pair of Firth and Ogley continuing at the top of the order. The pair put on 22 before youngster Firth was dismissed for 12. Bob Newton followed shortly for just 2, leaving Stocksbridge 31-2. This brought returning Dave Smith to the middle, who looked to rebuild with Chris Ogley. The pair looked in great touch, with Smith taking on the bulk of the scoring, hitting boundaries from his first over. Smith raced to his half-century with a flurry of boundaries. Ogley continued to keep the scoreboard ticking and provide excellent support for Smith.

Eventually, Ogley fell for a wellmade 42, registering an 84 run partnership with Smith in the process. Jack Murfin now joined Smith at the crease, and the pair began to propel Stocksbridge towards an excellent total. 4s and 6s were being hit to all parts as Stocksbridge accelerated in the last 15 overs. Stocksbridge finished on 185-3 from their 40 overs. Dave Smith registered his highest ever score in Green Army colours, finishing on 80*, superbly assisted by Jack Murfin, who ended on 40* in very quick time.

Stocksbridge’s fielding effort got off to an ideal start, with captain Thwaites clean bowling Centralians' captain Wainwright after just three deliveries. Opening bowling