With the experts insisting that rain would affect the fixture an early start was agreed and by 1:05pm Mick Acton had won the toss for the first time in 10 months, putting the home team, Hilton 3rds, in to bat. Before Trevor could enter the play Hilton were 1 for 1 off 1 Ady Statham taking a catch behind off Niall’s (5 overs 1 for 6) bowling. With Ben Griffiths (5 overs 2 for 5) enjoying the green track and bowling a better line and length after 10 overs Hilton were 11 for 3 – six of which were wides. Charlie Bullock, (5 overs 0 for 14) a debutant took over from Niall, whilst Aaron Harper (5 overs 0 for 11) came on the other end. Alex Matthews a young Hilton player had settled their ship along with a very experience opening batsman took the score to 50 for 3 in the 25th over. Dan Featherstone (5 overs 0 for 13) and James Parker (7 overs 1 maiden 3 for 18) in his first league match were now in action. James got the opener caught at mid off by Aaron for 19, followed by another senior player for 0, caught and bowled and then a 3rd caught by Mick Acton at point for 2. Hilton were reeling again at 57 for 6 off 28 overs. Dan Dolby (5 overs 1 for 8) was next in action an excellent spell realised the wicket of the Hilton captain bowled for 10. Trevor Foster (5 overs 0 for 11) replaced James and was joined by Mick (3 overs 1 maiden 2 for 3) at 40 overs . After starting the innings with an average age of 15 Rolleston’s average age at the end was 55+. The same result followed with Mick taking the last 2 wickets and a run out of their top scorer, after excellent fielding by Ben Griffiths, taking the total from 89 for 7 to 91 all out at the end of the 45th over. This had been a complete contrast from game one in which excellent bowling throughout was wasted by poor fielding. Today the bowlers made use of excellent bowling conditions and were backed all of the way by every player in the team.
Only half a job had been completed.
Another new opening partnership Niall Dawkins this week walked out with Dan Dolby. They started in a determined fashion Niall (24 including 5 fours) and Dan 15(with one 4 and a 6) took the score to 42 in the 9th over before Niall got a top edge and was caught and bowled Phil Tate (4, 1 four) joined Dan but watched as Dan was caught behind in the next over. Hilton had introduced their own young spinner who foxed most of our batsmen including at times the experience Ady Statham (19 including 3 fours). The spinner bowled Phil from leg-side and through his legs. Ben Griffiths (0) was up next he moved his feet well to the spinner but when he relaxed at the other end he too was bowled. Trevor Foster (14 including 3 fours)) and Ady were together now Ady drove through extra cover and they set off, about 3 minutes later the ball was thrown in, with a clean catch and take Trevor would have been referred to the 3rd umpire at the end of his 2nd run. With the score at 72 Ady edged to the keeper who juggled it to 1st slip for a legitimate catch. Trevor was joined by Charlie Bullock (5 not out) and with some sensible batting took the total to 89 before Trevor was caught. Mick Acton (2 not out) had the honour, as captain to hit the winning runs. A good team performance Hilton 3 points, Rolleston 22.
