1st XI Match Report

DATE: Saturday 21st May 2005
OPPONENTS: Berkswell
VENUE: Berkswell
RESULT: Match Drawn
POINTS: Berkswell 13pts, Atherstone 2pts

Atherstone held on for a battling draw against a strong Berkswell side in a match reduced to 31 overs a side after some heavy mid-afternoon rain.

Berkswell, batting first on a wicket described by visiting skipper and ex-Warwickshire batsman Dominic Ostler as one of the best Club wickets he had seen, made a positive start.  Just as runs started to flow early on Matt Pickering trapped the dangerous looking Klokker LBW for 10 in the 5^th over.  Pickering bowling with plenty of pace claimed a 2^nd LBW victim in his next over dismissing Dutch professional Bunge for a duck leaving Berkswell tottering at 30 for 2.

However, opener Aklaq (72 no) was joined at the wicket by Ostler and the pair shared an unbroken stand of 133 before the rain came.  Ostler (69no) was the main aggressor being particularly severe on any deliveries slightly offline or not on a good length.  Pickering finished with 2 for 57 from his 13 over spell.

In reply, Atherstone needed a solid start but lost openers Manny Alcock and Dave Blower to the lively pace of Thomas after both had reached double figures.  Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals denying any possibility of a run chase.  Newcomer Craig Wintersgil top scored with 27 before falling to off-spinner Vickerstaff who chipped in with 3 wickets leaving the hosts on 79 for 8 with just over 4 overs to go.  As one or two nerves started to appear in the home dressing room, Adders had to rely on the experienced duo of skipper Vic Clements and Steve Healey who both kept cool heads to ensure defeat was avoided in a tense last few overs.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend Adders make the short-trip up the A5 to Nuneaton on Saturday followed by a home fixture against Olton on the Monday.       

Scoreboard