MATCH BALL SPONSOR – DAVE JACK (GROUNDWORKS, PATIOS AND SOILING)

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Shireshead first XI compounded their defeats in league and cups last weekend with another double loss at the hands of Warton and Fleetood in the Meyler Cup.

It was a familiar middle order collapse that saw Shireshead on their knees at 59 for 8, but rearguard action from Andrew Murphy (10) and Paul Coulton (28) saw them scrape 20 104 all out in the 33rd over. The evergreen Graham Crowther took 5-17 in his 12 overs. In reply, Jake Agar took 2 for 30 but Tom Barnfield, despite surviving an adamant caught behind appeal, finished on 36 not out and his partnership with Brad Gosling (26 not out) saw the visitors home comfortably.

Meanwhile things over in Silverdale were going from bad to worse as the afternoon progressed. Silverdale amassed a total of 192 for 8 in their 45 overs with Jon Mason making 46, Rob Letcher 58,  Rob Reghelini 37 and Steven Beck 32 not out. Shireshead toiled and persisted and Mike Mead took another 4 wicket haul. (4 for 52). In reply, Shireshead were dismissed for 27 with no-one making double figures. A calf injury to Rick Hamblett meant he could not bat. Jon and Phil Mason did the damage taking 4 for 6 sand 5 for 15 respectively. Lack of availability is seriously hitting the second team at the moment and Mike Mead will be hoping his team come back fighting against Holme on Saturday 21st.

As usual, it was better news from Jonty Collinson’s 3rd XI who earned a winning draw versus Sedgwick 3rds. They made 171 batting first with Stan Collinson making another 50 (54 not out) and Si Gould (36) together with Tom Brown (41) taking innings by the scruff of the neck. Shireshead took 5 wickets for under 50 but a partnership between Haddath (54) and Bailey (56) gave the home side 4 points to Shireshead’s 7. Stan Collinson took two wickets to match his batting performance.

At Clifton Park on Sunday, Shireshead firsts took on the Palace Shield Premier League leaders Fleetwood. 60 from Charlie Clark and 74 from Harry McAteer were the  key contributions and a flurry of middle order cameos ensured a competitive total was posted. Phil Oliver took 3 wickets from an immaculate 2 overs. 3 run outs and early wickets made Shireshead’s task even more of a challenge but with the majestic Rob Jacques at the crease stroking boundaries with ease against some top flight bowling, anything looked possible. Jacques made 57 before holing out. Strong arm tactics from the belligerent Dave Jack saw him hit three sixes to make 28, but it was all in vain as Shireshead stumbled to 149 all out in the 36th over, falling 77 runs adrift.

On Wednesday night the Shireshead Fillies ladies team were on their first outing at Tarleton and came home victors with 8 balls to spare, knocking off 81 for 4 wickets from 16 overs. Star bowlers this week included Yasmin Atherton who took two wickets, Katie Oliver, Amy Creed and Emma Johnson. Katie Oliver made 41 with the bat, ably supported by Jess and Carrie Parkinson. Oliver was on for 50 until she was ran herself out (this was after running our Parkinson !).