Following a superb 90 runs from Rolleston 1st XI’s Alex Britton, hat-trick hero John Thompson returned figures of 6 for 25 to ensure a 135 run victory for the Willowers at Division One rivals Clay Cross.
Returning to his natural position of opener, Gareth Marshall (44) and all rounder Michael James (24) built a 34 run platform prior to James disappointingly given leg before to Mark Harland (2 for 51) in the fourteenth over. The same bowler secured a double wicket maiden when he forced an edge from Paul Allen to slip fielder Matt Griffiths.
Britton and Marshall once again combined to complete by far the most influential partnership of the day – 121 runs in 25 overs. As Marshall dropped anchor, Britton punished any loose deliveries, notching seven fours and a six in his 54 ball half-century. Marshall pressed the accelerator and was closing in on his own fifty when he was enticed by, and missed, a wide one from Ghadiali (3 for 71), wicket-keeper Hartley claiming the stumping.
Fast improving Adam Bowering joined Britton (90) who added two more towering sixes and a four before being bowled to become Ghadiali’s second victim. At 180 for 4 after 43 overs the visitors needed over six runs per over to claim maximum batting points but importantly had wickets in hand. Bowering lasted another four overs, the accurate Ghadiali bowling him after a run-a-ball 32. In the quest for quick runs, Rolleston’s middle and lower order fell on their swords, leaving Dent to crash a boundary in the last over, setting the hosts 228 to win.
Clay Cross began confidently and were not unduly worried when, in the fifteenth over, Alex Eyre (28) thick edged Dent to Luke Nelson at gulley with the score on 49.
Fellow opener Rich Greenhalgh (25) fell to the same fielder to become John Thompson’s first victim. His next delivery pinned Fletcher leg before and the hat-trick was completed when ex-overseas professional Sunil Bhatt (0) nicked an out-swinger to Allen at first slip. Celebrations had barely subsided when Bill Hartley (15) edged the host’s tormentor to wicket-keeper Ford, the reply in tatters at 80 for 5.
There was to be no way back for Clay Cross – J.T. claiming another two scalps thanks to a Ford stumping and Nelson’s third catch, and Dent and Nelson accounting for the remainder with two more catches from Ford. The innings closed on 92 all out, Rolleston gratefully accepting their 27 point reward in the fight to avoid relegation.
