12th September

Heysham  82  Shireshead & Forton  83/2

On a bright and sunny day that was sadly unusual this summer, Shireshead finished their centenary season with a comprehensive victory at Heysham.  It confirmed sixth place position which doesn’t flatter the team who were unbeaten in their last fourteen games, all of which were won, a winning draw achieved or spoilt by the rain.  Only at Burneside were Shireshead favoured by the rain and they will rue the fact that they had more matches spoiled by the weather than any other team, but also need to reflect that they started the season slowly.

Heysham opted to bat first and, despite an aggressive 23 from 21 balls from Adrian Ideson and 17 from Jamie Antcliffe, wickets fell in clusters.  Phil Oliver took his first wicket since August 9th and enjoyed it so much that he went on to take a further six, finishing with season’s best figures of 7/35.  He was well supported by Mike Park (3/19) as the home side’s innings subsided in the 26th over.

Sam Calverley (2/18) reduced Shireshead to 11/2, but Tom Jacques (50 not out) and Rob Jacques (23 not out) struck the ball well, adding 72 in just 12 overs to finish the match with 45 overs remaining.  Tom hit seven 4s and two 6s in his 53 ball innings.

Shireshead A 129 Galgate 92

 Shireshead brought the season to a close with a hard fought victory at in the derby match Galgate. Asked to bat first, the visitors found the early exchanges difficult on a wicket that had bounce but a loose surface. Tom Speak (2/13) and Simon Beales (0/35) bowled tightly as only 18 runs were taken from the first 20 overs.  A third wicket partnership of 47 between Rob Charles (36) and John Coates (18) put stability into the innings. The dismissal of Coates bowled by J.Smethurst (3/26) created a flurry of wickets with five men departing the arena for 22 runs. Dave Riley (22) and Pete Dodd (27) batted aggressively in a ninth wicket partnership of 38 before the innings was closed in the 42nd over on 129 when Pete Dodd was bowled.

In reply relegated Galgate lost J.Walton (0) bowled by fifteen year old Alex Taylor (1/10) in the third over. The fifteen year old who recently broke into the second team looks a really exciting prospect. The introduction of Alan Moulsdale (6/19) put the Clifton Park men firmly in control. Tom Speak (39) batted well and was unlucky to be dismissed by Moulsdale dragging onto his wicket. Ray Riley snr (14 n/o) tried in vain to save the game, but ran out of partners as Andy Noble (2) gloved a Rob Charles (1/13) delivery to second slip. This confirmed a second consecutive double for Shireshead over their local rivals.
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