A top of the table clash at Bluecote Wood, Joe Buckley's hard work on the ground had paid dividends as the ground looked in great shape.
Skipper Rob Clarke's mid-week traumas included trying to find a 'willing volunteer' to do the tea-duty, but he was able to fall back on his mum - thanks a lot Mrs C!!
The Ash team welcomed back Adam Tomlinson after an absence due to a new job, and Sean Taylor back from university, the Leonard team was missing ex-Ash man, Bryan Slack.
We lost the toss and were put i to bat, openers James Thompson and Chris Horner were watchful early on, but having done the hard work, Thompson (6) holed at long on as his disappointing start to the season continues .........
A second wicket partnership of 51 between Horner and Ned McClelland (27) moved us on nicely, Mark Taylor (13) helped move things along nicely before Joe Buckley (32) strode out and injected his usual style to proceedings, spoiling bowling figures along the way.
The dismissal of Chris Horner for a fabulous 73 allowed Ali Bowles (12 not out) and Rob Clarke (18 not out) to take us to a healthy 211 for 5.
After Mrs C's tea, Rob Clarke's team talk centred around building pressure, being patient, taking our chances ............... and winning!
Opening bowlers New McClelland and Joe Buckley made early inroads as the visitors were 46 for 3 in the 15th over.
Good work by Ben Drummond (37) and Chris Sladen (23) was broken when Sladen was hit in the face from a ball lifting off the pitch. Unfortunately, he couldn't continue and was taken to hospital with a nasty injury, of course, our best wishes have been conveyed for a speedy recovery.
Excellent work from Mark Taylor (2 for 34) kept a tight reign as Iain Barker (39) and his father, Stuart Barker, (28 not out) as the innings closed short at 190 for 6.
Scorecard:
Pannal Ash Innings
| J Thompson |
ct. M Stansfield |
b. S Barker |
6 |
| C Horner |
|
b. M Crompton |
73 |
| N McClelland |
ct. |
b. I Barker |
27 |
| M Taylor |
|
b. I Barker |
13 |
| J Buckley |
ct. |
b. D Slack |
32 |
| A Bowles |
Not Out |
|
12 |
| R Clarke (c) |
Not Out |
|
18 |
| A Tomlinson |
did not bat |
|
- |
| M Harrison |
did not bat |
|
- |
| A Firth |
did not bat |
|
- |
| S Taylor |
did not bat |
|
- |
| |
|
Runs |
181` |
| |
|
Extras |
30 |
| |
|
Total (for 5 wkts) |
211 |
Burton Leonard 2nds
| M Stansfield (c) |
ct. |
b. M Taylor |
15 |
| S Crawshaw |
ct. |
b. N McClelland |
5 |
| D Slack |
|
b. C Horner |
14 |
| B Drummond |
|
b. M Taylor |
37 |
| C Sladen |
Retired - hurt |
|
23 |
| I Barker |
|
b. N McClelland |
39 |
| S Barker |
Not Out |
|
28 |
| M Crompton |
ct. M Taylor |
b. J Buckley |
1 |
| R Barr |
Not Out |
|
4 |
| A Dallas (w-k) |
did not bat |
|
- |
| W Johnson |
did not bat |
|
- |
| |
|
Runs |
165 |
| |
|
Extras |
25 |
| |
|
Total (for 6 wkts) |
190 |