A good crowd gathered at Mainsforth Sports Complex as the cricket season finally got underway on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon with the 1st XI playing host to Brandon CC.
With the 2nd XI game up at Simonside being called off due to an unfit ground, there was a good gathering down at Mainsforth for this game.
Prior to the first ball, a moment’s applause was observed in memory of Arthur Willoughby, a former player and volunteer at the club, who recently passed away.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Mainsforth hoped to make the most of a green wicket.
Steady progress was made by the Brandon openers who were aided by some stiff and rusty fielding and inconsistent bowling by the home side.
Mainsforth mixed up the bowlers and managed to claw back some control with Nicholson claiming 2 for 31 and Hooper bowling well together.
Brandon gained some momentum towards the end of the innings however, finishing on 183/7 from their 45 overs.
The second innings got under way with Mainsforth making steady progress in the face of some challenging Brandon bowling.
Nicholson was caught and bowled for 24 before Riley and Cummings put on a partnership of 65 runs for the fifth wicket.
Just as Mainsforth looked to take control of the chase, both batsman fell in relatively quick succession with Riley caught on the boundary for 36 and Cummings falling for 20 when given out lbw.
The remaining batsmen found it hard to get going and the Mainsforth innings stumbled along to finish on 160/7 from their 45 overs, Brandon CC winning by 23 runs.
The captain’s man of the match was Danny Hooper for his bowling spell which included claiming two big wickets and helping restrict the flow of the opposition innings.
Danny’s player sponsorship was donated to Cancer Research UK in memory of Arthur Willoughby.
Weather permitting there are two games this week. The 1st XI have a free week but the 3rd XI travel to South Hetton on Thursday evening before South Hetton make the return trip on Saturday for a 2nd XI fixture starting at 1.30pm down at Mainsforth Sports Complex.
As usual the bar will be open for refreshments from 12pm.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
