If anyone ever suggests that cricket is a predictable game, just refer
them to me , because after today`s spectacle, nothing could be further
from the truth. As per usual , whenever Chorley visit Stanley Park
these days , rain does its best to interrupt proceedings , today being
no exception. A loss of 15 minutes at the start, meant the game was
originally reduced to 48 overs per side. On winning the toss , home
skipper Paul Danson took the bold step of taking first use of the
wicket, one which looked remarkably under prepared with more patchy
grass on than one would normally expect at Blackpool. Danno`s decision
was swayed by the fact that his boys need to pick up as many points as
possible in their remaining games if they are to have any chance of
finishing high enough in the league to qualify for next year`s Lancs
Cup.
So at 1.14 pm John Mounsey & John Caunce set about their task of
giving their team mates a good solid start. And this they did until
the rejuvenated JC (13)plopped the 1st ball from change bowler Parry
into the grateful hands of Andy Holdsworth at gully. Blackpool 34 for
1. , a comfortable start. However, Danno`s boys then embarked on one
of their spectacular self - destruct collapses, falling away to 54 for
5 when rain brought the game to a halt after 25.2 overs. Only Max
Mounsey (23), provided any real resistance before he too became one of
Parry`s 4 victim`s, tragically deceived by Parry`s well-disguised
double bouncing slower ball!! A true comedy of errors!
Tea was taken during the rain break and at the resumption of play, it
was deemed that the home boys had a mere 4.4 more overs to face to try
and progress to a challenging total.Skippers Danson and Mercer did
their best under the difficult circumstances, but at the end of their
30 overs Blackpool looked to be down and out at a meagre 76 for 8
Not quite sure what Danno said to his bowlers in between innings but
whatever it was , he should bottle it and sellit!!
Chorley came out and began in their usual style as if they had to
finish the game in record time but they had not reckoned on the
fighting spirit of Danno`s Warriors and in particular, the rampant
Andy Furniss and Rick Gleeson. First to fall was Adam Peacock to a
fine catch behind by Mr. Cool off "Oz" for 7 runs with the
total on 15. Keeper Josh Tolley followed quickly after to an even
better catch behind off the bowling of Ricky G to leave Chorley on 15
for 2 and Blackpool with a glimmer of hope.
What followed had to be seen to be believed. The tenacious Andy
Furniss (with an "i") removed the next 3 Chorley batsmen in
rapid succession, 2 of them in consecutive balls as the visitors `
defences began to show cracks bigger than the ones in our county
strip! reducing the oppo to 27 for 5. He really has stepped up
to the mark with the new ball this last couple of weeks.
Not to be outdone, paceman Gleeson then really turned it on with a
superb spell of quick stuff, as he blew away the Chorley lower order,
taking the next 5 wickets for only 7 runs in 2.3 overs to finish with
the incredible figures of 9.3 overs 4 maidens 6 for 21. With Furney
taking a remarkable 4 for 17 in his 9 overs, Chorley were swept away
for 43 , leaving Danno`s boys victors by 33 runs!!
Funny old game as they say. An almost unbelievable result for the home
team which now sets up their push for a top 4 spot in the remaining 4
games. Well done , Fellers....a great fighting spirit. Don`t forget
nets on Tuesday.
Today`s performance means Richard is now the leading amateur wicket
taker with 47 wickets to his name. Surely somebody at the County must
have noticed this by now . or maybe they just aren`t looking in our
direction!
