Fourth Team v Millhouses Works

Barnsley were keen to get going after last weeks victory at Sprotborough and having won the toss, put the visitors into bat. A great decision as Finlay Parker-Wake struck with the very first ball removing their skipper clean bowled. It owed bit to a low bounce but a great start nonetheless. Game on.

At the other end, a truly inspired spell of seem bowling by the evergreen Steve Dixon saw Millhouse reduced quickly to 26-4 and 40-6. Tails up, the home Barnsley Army sensed ‘early refreshments’ of an alcoholic variety if the weather could hold.

AD had entered the attack and another tight spell saw her frustrate the visitor taking a couple of wickets in the process including one rascal effort caught at short fine leg off a full-toss by the mercurial Dicko; well in Skip!

Steve continued from the other end, removing visitor wickets with alarming regularity. Steve’s spell saw him close out with 6 wickets for 8 runs off his 10 including a brilliant 7 maidens. Clearly an early contender for Griffin of the Week and a shoe-in for player of the match. AD at the other end posting excellent figures of 8-5-4-2 come the close.

The final Millhouses pairings frustrated the Griffins as we searched for the final wicket. Rain was scheduled and with other local games already off we were keen to turn around or get in to bat quickly. The team were somewhat irritated as the final wicket eluded them after some resolute batting and strike rates of between 10-20 by numbers 10 and 11! As the rain started to fall, the visitors ended their innings with a creditable 76-9 as we headed for a first Leanne-inspired tea at the home of cricket.

Changing up the openers, AD sent out Craig Wilkes and the ‘Woolley Kallis’ Linton Shore to try and beat the weather. We set about the task well rotating the strike and sending the ball to the boundary when able on a slow outfield. Linton fell missing a low, straight one playing for the shorter leg-side boundary, leaving the field in double figures and a strike rate a touch under 100.

His dismissal brought young Jambo to the crease to join his dad. Looking to continue his weeks great form across the age-groups, Jambo again sent some early balls racing to the boundary at a better than 100 strike rate. We looked well set for a comfortable victory as the rain approached rapidly from all directions. The game was quickly running away from the visitors who slowed the game as and when they could. It was a race against the clouds.

Unfortunately the weather landed by 1630 and with Millhouses eager to rescue something from a seemingly desperate situation, the players left the field with us stranded on 49-1 from 9 overs. Jambo stranded on 20 (off 17) and Craig 13 not out. Such a shame as the game was clearly going to be won by the in-form hosts. We probably only needed another 30 minutes to wrap up maximum points but it wasn’t to be as the filthy early season weather ruined yet another game.

Players and the Army retired to the bar to drown their sorrows and hoping for a weather miracle. Unfortunately after an hours plus delay and wet bowler run-ups the teams shook hands on a disappointing draw and 4 points apiece. As Millhouses left the home of cricket the sun shone brightly and we were left to reflect on what might have been. We go again. UTG