A sunny day promised as league leaders Abbots Bromley were next visitors to Marchington. Winning the toss Abbots Bromley invited Rolleston to bat first on a damp but drying wicket. Rolleston opened with Dave Gallagher (7) and Mark Chalkley (1) looking to get off to a positive start but both were soon back in the pavilion with only 11 on the board in the 7th over both bowled by Stevenson and Taylor respectively. Steve Yates joined son Tom at the crease and after some watchful defence soon started to punish some wayward bowling, both being particularly ruthless to anything short. The 50 partnership arrived in the 15th over. Despite a number of bowling changes “Dad and Lad” continued to dominate and the partnership soon reached 100 by the 24th over. Steve reached his second consecutive 50 with a six over square leg. Tom continued a stylish support role whilst Steve smashed the Abbots Bromley attack without the need to run between wickets. Steve continued his onslaught and soon reached his century with another huge 6. With the partnership on 179 and Tom looking set for his first league 50 he fell LBW to the returning opening bowler Stevenson. The pair had added an amazing 179 in just 25 overs and has the statisticians at Rolleston looking at the record books for any other Dad 'n' Lad partnerships. Tom Yates hitting 10 fours in a mature innings for a 16 year old. Steve Yates was joined by Alex Showell but after an innings that included 10 sixes and 11 fours and only 13 singles Steve eventually fell to a catch at deep mid off by Coatzee off the bowling of Norman in the 34th over. With the score at 193 Rolleston had the ideal foundation for a big score and the freedom to play shots for the incoming batsmen was soon seized upon. Alex Showell (12) including a huge 6 fell to another Coatzee/Norman combination, Steve Dolby (6) bowled by Stevenson, Alex Brown (8) run out by a superb piece of fielding all perished in the pursuit of quick runs. Brett Cobley then smashed a quick-fire 34 with 2 sixes and 3 fours, Mick Clay (5) fell to a smart stumping by Bromley off N Taylor and Warren Cowell then clubbed a typical six in his 14 not out. The innings closed after 46 overs with Rolleston hitting the leaders for 281 losing 8 wickets. C Stevenson 3 for 54 off 14 overs and N. Taylor 3 for 31 off 11 overs being the pick of the Abbots Bromley bowlers.
Abbots Bromley started cautiously against the accurate bowling of Warren Cowell and youngster Andy Cooper. H Bailey (20) was the first to lose his wicket with Mick (the Gloveman) Clay taking a smart catch behind off Warren Cowell with the score at 36 in the 13th over. M. Tracey and C Stevenson then set about building a positive attacking partnership of 78 in just 16 overs before Stevenson (34) fell to another great catch by the “Gloveman” off the wily spin of T.Yates. M. Tracey (74) then fell to a fantastic throw by Alex Showell into the safe hands of Clay, his innings included 10 fours and 3 sixes. With the score now at 161 for 3 in the 37th over the chase for runs had now effectively ended as Abbots Bromley dropped anchor and bedded in for the night seeking the draw to secure points. A great forward diving catch by Brett “the Cat” Cobley off Tom Yates to take the wicket of C. Johnson (9) secured another bowling point. It was left to O. Strudwick (19no) and D. Wood (3no) to close out the match for a solid draw. Warren Cowell 11-3-33-1, Andy Cooper 10-0-41-0, Mark Chalkley 6-0-33-0, Tom Yates 12-1-58-2, Alex Showell 4-2-13-0 and Steve Dolby 3-2-6-0 doing the bowling legwork. Rolleston 17pts Abbots Bromley 10pts.