Cirencester Cricket Club > News > May 2003 > 1st XI determined to take positives out of loss

1st XI determined to take positives out of loss [Monday 12 May 2003]

Gloucestershire County Cricket League Division 2
Cirencester - 159/9
Down Hatherley - 160/5
Down Hatherley won by 5 wickets

Cirencester 1st XI started their league campaign with a defeat at Cirencester Park on Saturday. Despite this, they could take some positives out of a very competitive and good quality opening match. Having been put into bat on what looked a very good batting surface for this time of year, where credit must go to groundsman Dan Robbins, steady progress was made up to the 35th over.

At this point, Cirenceseter were in the relatively good postion of 119 for 3, this mainly down to opening bat Andy Walker (30) and Dominic Jeffcott. Unfortunately, at this point David Shackleton was quickly followed by Jeffcott (41), the latter playing a pre-determined shot off Down Hatherley's best bowler on the day, Rich Aram, to put Cirencester is more vunerable situation.

The latter order, did their best to get the score up to what might have been a winning total, but in the end probably fell, 20 runs short at 159 for 9 off the alloted 45 overs. Credit must also go to the oppostion's persistant bowling and at times excellent fielding.

In reply, Down Hatherley's opening batsman were pinned down by some accurate opening bowling from Mark Hayes and debutant, Iain Butler. Butler then took 2 wickets in 2 balls to leave Down Hatherley struggling on 34 for 2 off 17 overs. Unfortunately, as was the case last season, one opposition batsman then changed the course of the game. Jamie Woolgar, having come in at no. 4 on the hat trick ball, immediately, with a mixture of aggressive shots, took the game away from Cirencester's control.

He was eventually out for 47 caught off the bowling of 14 year old James Shackleton, who also making his debut, bowled with great maturity and control under pressure. He finshed with the outstanding figures of 2 for 22 off 8 overs. Despite Shackelton's efforts and the equally excellent Butler, who took 3 for 38 off 12 overs, Down Hatherley reached their target with 5 wickets down and with 7 balls to spare.

However, although defeated, Cirencester can look forward to a much more successful season, with a squad of players, who when all available, will bring a healthy competion for places.