Cirencester Cricket Club > News > February 2004 > New Generation show champion credentials

New Generation show champion credentials
Sunday 22 February 2004

Cirencester (99/5) lost to New Generation (135/4) by 36 runs
[Scorecard]

Despite a second good performance of the day by Cirencester, they once again came off second best to the best performing side in the division. New Generation captain Farooq won the toss and it was no surprise when he elected to bat first.

New Generation build their batting around a game plan of looking to run as many singles as possible and put pressure on the opposition fielders and they seemed to be getting away from Cirencester early on as they took 22 off the first over.

However, Cirencester looked to be back in the game as Tom Burgess trapped Nisar leg-before-wicket before Andy Cooper produced another superb piece of fielding to run out T Hanif for a duck. In the next over captain Farooq attempted to run a Shackleton delivery down to third man only for Dan Hudson to take a brilliant one-handed catch at backward point.

Cirencester seemed to have grabbed the initiave when in the following over Dan Hudson ran out C Hanif to leave New Generation needing to bat our their last six overs with just two wickets remaining.

However, the returning Sellars marshalled last man Morton superbly to build a partnership that would eventually produce a big score for their side. Good placement of their shots and aggressive running between the wickets allowed them to add over 80 vital runs together.

A good start was going to be essential for Cirencester but the opposite occured as Dan Hudson played on to his first ball and was bowled. A mix-up between Rich Hudson and Andy Cooper meant Hudson was run out and Cooper then struck the roof attempting an aggressive shot.

Thankfully the Cirencester lower order dug in to get the team to a respectable score with Dan Robbins, James Shackleton and Tom Burgess all totalling their highest scores in indoor cricket.

There were boundaries aplenty as all three batsmen struck the ball well and shepherded Cirencester up to 99/5 when the overs ran out. The team go in to their final two matches now knowing that two victories should secure promotion to Division 3.