The forecast for hot weather was wrong, an icy breeze firing across Bluecote Road for the first clash between these two clubs since the mid 80's in the old second division days.
Ash captain, James Thompson, won the toss and put the visitors in to bat, calculating that they had chased and won in all their other games so we'd try and do it differently this time!
The Ash opening bowers, Mark Taylor (1 for 16) and Joe Buckley (2 for 37) worked hard and kept things tight as openers David Spencer (28) and Richard Spencer (16) put on 52 for the first wicket before they both fell to Ned McClelland (3 for 61).
The fall of another wicket at 64 brought together Ben Challis (61) and Craig Costello (81) for a 150 run fourth wicket stand as the bowlers toiled.
There was some frustration at one or two controversial 'not out' decisions but both batsmen played some good shots in the large stand as the ball flew to all parts of Bluecote Wood.
We took some good catches with a notable mention to John Bowman's effort to snare Challis off Joe Buckley's bowling.
The innings closed with a formidable 235 for 7 on the board.
After a great tea from Richard Turner (well, his dad Mal really!) Ash openers James Thompson (31) and Rob Clarke (6) set about the task of overturning the first innings total.
The Lofthouse opening bowlers Craig Costello (3 for 30) and Simon Bell (1 for 22) were plying their trade in the first division with Bishop Thornton and they used their experience well with good support from ben Challis (3 for 17) and ex Gas Sports bowler Sean Wilkinson (2 for 25).
Ash batsmen Ned McClelland (17), Mark Taylor (19), Joe Buckley (12) and Chris Horner (17) all got into double figures without going on as the Ash innings closed at 136 for 9 wickets.
The first defeat of the season.
Scorecard:
Lofthouse and Middlesmoor Innings:
| D Spencer |
b. N McClelland |
28 |
| R Stevenson |
ct. b. N McClelland |
16 |
| B Challis |
ct. J Bowman b. J Buckley |
61 |
| P Kennerdy |
ct. J Thompson b. D Harrington |
2 |
| C Costello |
ct. J Thompson b. J Buckley |
81 |
| S Wilkinson |
b. N McClelland |
4 |
| D Dunford |
NOT OUT |
2 |
| P Soloman |
b. M Taylor |
4 |
| C Ware |
NOT OUT |
8 |
| J Stevenson |
did not bat |
- |
| S Bell |
did not bat |
- |
| |
Total Runs |
206 |
| |
Extras |
29 |
| |
Total (for 7 wkts) |
235 |
Pannal Ash Innings
| J Thompson |
ct. P Solomon b. B Challis |
31 |
| R Clarke |
LBW b. C Costello |
6 |
| N McClelland |
LBW b. C Costello |
17 |
| M Taylor |
b. S Wilkinson |
19 |
| J Buckley |
b. S Wilkinson |
12 |
| R Turner |
b. B Challis |
1 |
| M Hanson |
ct. D Spencer (w-k) b. C Costello |
8 |
| C Horner |
b. C Costello |
17 |
| D Harrington |
b. S Bell |
0 |
| J Bowman |
NOT OUT |
1 |
| J Watson |
NOT OUT |
2 |
| |
Total Runs |
114 |
| |
Extras |
22 |
| |
Total (for 9 wkts) |
136 |
Bowling Analysis
| Lofthouse and Middlesmoor Innings |
|
|
| |
Wkts |
Runs |
| N McClelland |
3 |
61 |
| J Buckley |
2 |
37 |
| |
|
|
| Pannal Ash Innings |
|
|
| |
Wkts |
Runs |
| C Costello |
3 |
30 |
| B Challis |
3 |
17 |
| S Wilkinson |
2 |
25 |