Stanhope vs. Houghton - 9th May 2009

With all eyes turned “up-Dale” against a very stiff wind, it was touch and go as to whether the game would go ahead.  A morning of showers and slowly developing sunny breaks meant that the wicket remained covered until the last possible moment.  The rain did affect play but it did not force the game to be abandoned.

Stanhope needed to put on a good overall team demonstration and put behind them two disappointing results.  The lack of depth in batting has meant that the hard work put in by the bowlers has not been able to be capitalised upon.  With a wet outfield and drying conditions expected for the afternoon, Houghton took to the wicket first.

The opening bowling of R. Pringle and A. Robinson quickly showed it’s teeth, with these two between them accounting for 5 wickets, 3 to Pringle and 2 to Robinson.  Not only did they take wickets but they also managed to keep the runs in check compared to the previous games.  This despite bowling against a squally cross wind that would go on to sap the energy of all the Stanhope bowlers as the Houghton Innings progressed.  The wicket of J. Grant fell to a fine catch by Robinson off the bowling of Pringle for just 9 runs. Earlier Robinson claimed the wicket of number 2 bat, L. Husband, for just 3 with an equally good catch to his own bowling.  The scene was very much set for the rest of the Houghton Innings.

 Wickets did fall at regular intervals as each successive batsman had played themselves in, so-to-speak.  However as they then tried to pick up the run rate they quickly became victims to the Stanhope attack.  Both of Adam Robinsons wickets fell from a good delivery being hit straight back to Adam to catch.  F. “Gloves” Stephenson not to be outdone took a good diving catch to remove G. Robinson on 15 as well as reacting as only he can (and he will tell you in great detail if asked) to post another stumping late in the Houghton Innings to dismiss B. Storey who was looking very confident having reached 11 runs very quickly.

Stanhope were fielding a number of junior players this game, and they too made their mark in the field. A. Kitching’s LBW appeal against S. Silvester being successful means that he has 2 wickets now from two first class games.  Also A. Beale under some strong self imposed pressure held onto a catch to help S. Campbell remove the second of his to wickets, that of D. Bittlestone.

Houghton was eventually bowled out after 44 overs for 110 runs, a total that the Stanhope team should be capable of exceeding given the 45 overs available.  On paper at least this match was firmly within the grasp of Stanhope.  However such is the game of cricket, that anything can happen!

With 111 to win, R. Young and E. Rowell walked to the crease determined to lay a solid foundation from which to build a winning total.  Young quickly returned to the pavilion (well container) having been bowled for a Duck by B. Storey.  C. Skinner at  number 3 was ultimately Storey’s second and final victim, scoring just 3 runs before loosing his middle stump. Of the top 4 batsmen only E. Rowell was able to reach double figures, his total of 11 ultimately became Stanhope’s second highest score of the day.  He to was bowled, by B. Riding, attempting to steady the rocky Stanhope batting.

It fell to S. Campbell and F. Stephenson to steady the flow of wickets and frustrate the bowling of Houghton.  Both players slowed down the attempt at scoring runs, taking time to pick the ball from which to score from.  With overs in hand this was exactly what the Stanhope Innings needed.  However the damage had been done early on with the recognised batsmen failing to build a strong platform.  Stephenson fell LBW on 10 to P. Elliott.  The cunning Kiwi, Campbell, went on to post a respectable 35 runs before he too felt forced into taking on a ball that he really should have blocked.  With his dismissal; the balance of the game shifted towards Houghton. Up until this point it was a finely balanced match. 

Young Andrew Kitching now felt the pressure to score as he was joined at the crease by C. Morse.  Kitch as he is known again made his mark, punching the ball high over the in-field to pick up a well earned boundary (4 runs). Two balls later attempting to do the same again he to was caught with the Stanhope total a tantalising 31 runs behind.

Morse and Beal the final two Stanhope batsmen were simply unable to move the total on, Morse posting a respectable 2 and Beale Not Out for 0.  At the end of play, Stanhope were bowled out for 84 runs, just 27 runs short of victory.  Not all is lost the team picked up 6 valuable bonus points, they are still on track to remain in the First Division.  Next week sees the start of a 3 week run away from home when Stanhope ravel to Whiteleas.