Aldborough 1’s lead the charge!
A spectacular 95 not out from Aldborough’s Tom Farrow was the highlight of this opening day encounter of Aldborough’s season. Winning the toss Aldborough elected to field and it was clear from early on that batting was not going to be easy. Perry-Warnes and Ash bowled tightly to start although the dangerous Handley was trying to up the pace. However, he was dismissed early by a brilliant caught and bowled from Perry Warnes. South African Troy Allen then continued with the pressure supported by some good fielding. Ex-first team stars Ward and then Mallett were soon back in the hut. Dingle and Flannagan continued the good work and Acle ’s innings never really got out of first gear. Former Aldborough player Easterbrook put up some resitance with a spirited 39 not out but when he was looking to accelerate Botwright eventually turned to Reeve to bowl out the last overs and the experienced seamer strangled the run rate with Acle finishing on 128 for 8. In reply Flannagan missed timed a shot to leg and was out early on. Farrow then joined Reeve and the pair put on 66 for the second wicket. Reeve was mostly an onlooker as Tom Farrow in majestic form drove ,cut and smashed his way past 50. After Reeve’s dismissal Botwright came and went but Farrow continued the onslaught with the support of Allen. His eventual 95 not out consisted of fourteen fours and three sixes and when the scores were level he gave his only chance when attempting to hit a six for victory and his own century. The ball was dropped on the line and he took the single to give Aldborough a comfortable win.
ALDBOROUGH BLACK BOYS MAN OF THE MATCH: Tom Farrow
Aldborough’s second string were less fortunate in their opening day encounter when they were defeated emphatically by Diss B. Batting first, skipper Robinson and Mack started brightly however the captain then Cramp, with a rash shot, departed quickly leaving Smith and Mack to steady the ship. Both played well and moved the score to 83 at the half way stage. Mack (47) was caught just short of a deserved 50. Nicholson continued the good work with Smith but was run out by a direct hit when lookin good. The momentum required at this point never materialised and wickets fell at crucial stages. Swinbourne 15 not out and Cook at the end played carefully to give Aldborough a respectable score rather than risk a collapse. The 165 for 7 score on paper was probably par and with Aldborough’s attack the team felt confident. However this was short lived as this part of the game never got going and Merrick and Allen put on 79 for the first wicket when Mack finally made the breakthrough. The next wicket fell at 106 when debutant Walton opened his account but from then on in Diss never looked like losing the game and reached the target comfortably with overs to spare. Captain Robisnon was pragmatic in defeat and felt that the weakness of previous years in not batting out the overs and not building innings may have been addressed but was concerned that such a strong bowling attack proved pretty impotent in this first game. Onwards and upwards for the 2’s.
ALDBOROUGH BLACK BOYS MAN OF THE MATCH: Charlie Mack
On Sunday Aldborough travelled to Aylsham but were defeated by a good Legion side. The cricket continued on Monday when The Arcadian Casuals rolled up to The Green and defeated a strong Aldborough side who gave away cheap wickets early on and allowed The Casuals to knock off the runs with 3 overs to spare. Finally, to end a mammoth weekend of cricket Aldborough grabbed a win against Nocturns CC on Tuesday night. This Saturday the 1’s travel to Rollesby and the 2’s entertain Lowestoft B on The Green. See you then!