Keeping up with the Jones's

Another win to start the season and In consecutive games the 5ths are yet to have a batsman dismissed in the league. Graham Rishton made an almost chanceless 101* to complement a fine bowling performance from Andrew Jones who took 5-27.

After some dubious driving from JP through a yellow light and then deciding to go a different way to that agreed, we arrived and Wisaston chose to bat after winning the toss on track that despite having a green top, also looked quite good to bat on. Jones (M) and Jones (A) opened the bowling with Mike making the first breakthrough. He bowled with good pace, moving the ball both ways and was unlucky not to pick up another when a nick dropped just short of the keeper. Meanwhile, Andy bowled a probing line and had their other opener caught behind in a regulation snick. Further wickets followed, with Stu Green taking a fine catch at backward point from Mike Jones and Andy took 4 more including 3 bowled and was on a hatrick at one point. At this stage Wistaston were 97-8 and I’m sure everyone had designs on an early tea.

Spin was introduced from both ends with Jones (H) bowling a tight line and beating the bat on a number of occasions, although a few boundaries were conceded. Haris Umair (not-Jones) completed the bowling attack and despite finding prestigious turn, suffered with his control and was quite expensive. Wisaston flourished and moved swiftly on to 154 before Hannah made the crucial breakthrough bowling Josh Allwood for 64. Mike Jones returned to finish the job, with all 10 wickets shared between the 3 Jones’s.

After a solid but not spectacular tea (6/10) Graham Rishton and Ben Anderson set about the reply and Graham punished the bad ball regularly whilst Ben, took a more cautious approach, rotating the strike considerately. After a couple of bowling changes, runs dried up for a time, but was soon overcome, with some cracking shots from both batsmen. As Rish looked to accelerate the flowing strokes were accompanied by a pair of hefty strikes through square long-on. Ben survived a strong LBW appeal after which there was some loud heckling from the proximitous fishermen behind the far hedge. Bizarre to say the least. Rish gave his only chance on just after reaching his 50 (74 balls) straight back to the bowler, but it would have been a ridiculous catch. From then on it was one-way traffic, with Rish reaching his century (109 balls) to win the game and he moved from 50 to 100 in only 25 balls.

All in all, a strong all-round performance with Stu Green taking home a nasty case of pad-rash. Rish and Ben have now combined for 236 runs without dismissal this season so far. Next week we face Langley 2nds who lost to Poynton last weekend.