The Seconds are too Sharpe for Illston

The first game of the season for the second team was played at a sunny yet chilly Bassett Avenue against an Illston Abey XI that Niffy comfortably beat last season.

The first toss of the 2015 season was lost by Capt. Hawker and the Niffy were inserted to have a go on a wicket that looked flat and good for batting.

Ash Hallam and Tom Gardner opened up and both looked comfortable as they pushed the score past 50-0 in decent time. Ash mistimed a shot that saw him caught. A good start to the season as he was dismissed for 34. Tom perished soon after for a well constructed 37. Matt McDonald and Matt Toon pushed the ball around for the next few overs. The Illston bowlers too short to Toony who moved onto a fairly brisk 20 before being bowled (ball of the day) Jonny joined Matt at the crease.
Matt went from composed to aggressor and a big six looked like this was going to be a big knock...before he missed a full toss and was bowled. The innings failed to take off from there and Niffy were eventually bowled out for 181.

The half time team talk obviously worked wonders as the young opening pair of Tom Muggleton and Matt Sharpe ripped through the Illston top order leaving them on 13-4. Tom with 2 LBW's and Sharpey claiming his first wicket with a nick to a grateful Toony at first slip. The Illston batsmen then went into a few overs of defence and then looked fairly comfortable. Toony took the next wicket and then proceeded to bowl full toss after full toss. Rich Sharpe and Karl Hawker bowled tight lines, but the real master stroke was throwing the ball to Liam Gibbs.
Liam bowled with great flight and encouraged the batsmen to play false shots, a first catch for the club from wicket keeper Tom Gardner was followed up by bowling the batsmen middle stump. A run out helped Niffy greatly before Sammy went on the attack, finally perishing for a well played 91 as Matt Sharpe forced him into a poor shot straight to Toony at cover. The final wicket was taken as Sharpey once again caught the edge and saw Sam Spencer take a forward diving catch to pocket 30 points on the opening day bowling Illston out for 136 for a 45 run victory.

Away to Langtons next week, best of luck to all...but what a great start!