Highlights of New Victoria 2nd XI v Halsall West End 2nd XI at Crossens Recreational Ground, 9th July 2022
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MATCH REPORT
This game marked the start of the second half of the 2022 season, with New Victoria welcoming Halsall West End 2nd XI to 'The Rec'. Halsall sit 8th in the table, looking for back to back wins after a few difficult results, however they had an uphill task ahead of them as they found themselves having to travel with just 9 men. New Vic meanwhile sit in third with just one defeat all season, looking to move back into second place with both teams above them playing each other bound to leave an opening.
With a strong bowling line up, New Victoria elected to field first having won the toss. New Vic's opening four bowlers all put in plenty of hard work and were unlucky not to be rewarded for their efforts, the visitors getting to drinks without losing a wicket. Young Tom Hames and his uncle Paul bowling in tandem through the middle overs both bowled some absolute jaffers, and were desperately close to finding an edge or an aerial ball finding a fielder. However, they paved the way for the ever reliable Saif to come on and get the breakthrough with just his second ball, and then New Vic's newly crowned "GOAT" James Leese made the most of the pressure that had been built, taking 5/30 off his 8 overs, his very first 5fer in over a decade of playing for the club! Halsall finished 151/7 off their 40 overs, opening batsmen Andrew Kershaw top scoring with 49 runs, supported by a few useful cameos.
In reply, New Vic failed to make the most of the gaps in the field, with several batsmen getting starts then getting out. With wickets falling at regular intervals thanks to a superb effort from the likes of Karl Beament and Alex Berry (taking 3/23 and 3/36 respectively), New Vic's hopes of victory fell firmly on the shoulders of the returning Matt Hawksworth in his first game for the club in over ten years, which made for a very tense climax! Unfortunately, this was not caught on camera, with the camera battery dying with just five balls left in the game! In the end, New Vic crept over the line with three balls to spare to win by just one wicket.
Halsall put in a terrific effort in the field and did themselves proud, coming away from the game with a well deserved 12 points in a hard fought contest. New Victoria regained second place on the back of this win, with Bedford Park succumbing to defeat away to league leaders Cheshire Lines.
newvictoria.play-cricket.com/...
13 июл 2022
