Geoff Cox Cars Division 5N

Selston Town 239-6 tied with Staveley 239-5

LAST Saturday’s fixture at the Parish Hall Ground proved to be one of the most entertaining and exciting games for a long time.

Having lost the toss Selston were asked to bat on a damp wicket caused by the heavy showers around lunchtime.

The hosts made a good start and lost the first wicket of Johnson lbw (18) when the score was on 80.

But 80 for 1 turned into 80 for 2 when Jay Bailey was caught out first ball for a golden duck the second week running, to a delivery that can only be described as poor!

With Bailey already on his way out of the car park for a depressed drive around, the in-form Paul Stovey came to the crease and took a grip of the bowling until he finally fell for another fine knock of 71.

A further three wickets fell with the batsmen chasing quick runs all to Jon Bullimore.

While all this was going on around him Jonty Brown had somehow, in his uncompromising and less than glamorous style had reached his first ever career 100 and actually finished on an unbelievable 136 not out as Selston finished their innings on 236 for 6.

Staveley started their innings in confident fashion with former first team batsmen Crookes and Gray putting on 138 for the first wicket until Crookes was caught by Stuart Egan at long off from the bowling of Ian Wood for 53.

This seemed to annoy Dave Gray who then proceeded to hit the ball further and harder until he was well caught by Kieron Egan just inside the boundary at deep cow corner for an excellent 124.

With a few lusty blows by Docherty it brought the game to a grand finale with Staveley requiring six to win from the last over with five wickets in hand.

Paul Stovey was trusted with the last over and to his team mates’ dismay, his first ball was a long hop easily dispatched to the boundary by Bullimore senior.

A single came from the next ball leaving the scores level and Staveley needing one run off four deliveries.

Three balls outside off stump and three almighty swipes and misses by Docherty brought the game down to the last ball.

Another swipe and miss by Docherty on the last ball left the batsmen trying to scramble a bye to wicket keeper Tim Smith who kept his composure and rolled the ball at the stumps and to the surprise and delight of his team mates, actually hit them, running out Bullimore.

This was an excellent game ending in a fair result but the day must belong to Jonty Brown for his first ever ton which should hopefully, after all these years, give him some belief in his own ability.

Match kindly sponsored by Q A Bolting Systems of Rotherham.