Positive Start Continues for Jets

A month into the 2022 season and all senior sides have positioned themselves well, the 1st and 2ndXI leading the way as they top their respective league tables. On another weekend of strong performances there were three wins across the board ahead of an increase in cup fixtures in the coming weeks.

Barnton v 1stXI

The 1stXI retained top spot in Division 3 with a ruthless victory at Broomsedge which was wrapped up in little over three hours of play. An inexperienced Barnton team were overmatched, dismissed for 66 to vindicate the skipper’s decision to bowl first on one of the best grounds to bat in the division. In the absence of last week’s star man Dave Oldfield, the Jets bowlers all displayed great powers of control as they shared the wickets among a five-man attack that also combined to bowl 14 maidens.

Jamie Henderson (2-11) led the way up front, striking in his first over and completing a testing eight-over spell with the new ball. It set a tone that the others followed, Manning Berry (1-10) enjoying himself on a wicket with pace and carry and Matt Wragg (2-10) finding ample swing in his first ones outing of the year. Will Westerby (4-17) couldn’t replicate the magic of the previous weeks but he burgled the tail to take his tally to 17 wickets in just four outings making him the leading bowler across all divisions of the County League setup.

Runs then flowed in reply, primarily from the bat of Saul Gould (34*) who struck seven boundaries and was in particularly good touch off his pads. Jake Reynolds (23*) played second fiddle in comparison but did unfurl one glorious cover drive as the pair motored to a chanceless fifty stand and then onwards to a ten-wicket margin of victory in 11 overs. Tougher tests no doubt lie ahead but a win here was completed with minimal fuss ahead of a busy upcoming schedule of league and cup fixtures.

2ndXI v Timperley

The 1stXI were back in good time to observe the second string also collect a fourth win in four at a sun-soaked PSC. Visitors Timperley always present a unique challenge and, as expected, they flew out of the blocks with the pinch-hitting of Bhatti (40) and Khan (26). Jimmy Williams (2-25) and Adam Burgess (2-20) calmed things down though, returning the scoring rate returning to something a little more sedate and offering some much-needed control. A final total of 161-9 represented a result against a side who routinely amass scores well in excess of 200.

At 103-2 in reply, and with Dan Mullany (36) and Will Ritchie (35) well set, the chase appeared a formality. However, the return of opening bowlers Usman (4-25) and Tayyab (3-46) engineered a collapse to 120-6 to set up a tense finish. Andy Heath briefly fought back by slamming 18 from just nine deliveries, giving Timperley a taste of their own medicine, but it was the calm heads of Manusha Wettasinghe (14*) and Jimmy Williams (12*) that saw the team home with three wickets and more than four overs to spare.

3rdXI v Urmston

Alas, there was no such luck for the 3rdXI as a week of mixed availability saw them too under strength to compete with visiting Urmston on Jackson’s Edge. It meant a first loss for the club in senior cricket this season but an understandable one as only four of Andy Welsby’s eleven had even faced a ball to date in 2022. And it showed as, despite a fine opening stand of 40 between Alex Dickman and Henry Woodall, the Jets were bundled out for 72 with Chris Taylor left high and dry on 13* as the only other batsman to reach double figures.

The boys did then salvage some pride, briefly having the Urmies in some trouble at 1-2 and 28-4. Such a low total on the board meant only one visiting batsman needed to make a score though and that was Yakub Sheikh as he hammered an unbeaten 43*. That included hoisting the winning runs over the rope, sending Urmston level with the 3rdXI on 46pts in the process at the top end of the Division C East table.

Lindow v 4thXI

On Sunday the 4thXI stepped into the world of live streaming as they travelled to Upcast Lane to face off against Lindow and their new camera system. Those tuning into the first innings were treated to a fine 61 (8x4, 1x6, 63b) from Owen Johnson which helped propel the Jets to 221-9 from their 40 overs. Supporting hands from Scott Parkinson, Damien Mullany, Matt Mullany and Rob Bowden ensured a big total to defend in 40 overs but the hosts got off to a roaring response after tea.

The scoreboard rattled along as crafty veterans Pete Hodge and Peter Venables put the 4thXI bowling to the sword, scoring 72 from the opening 10 overs. The stand was only ended by a stunning one-handed return catch from Adam Burgess to deny Hodge his fifty and from 98-1 the reply faltered. Scott Parkinson’s controlled 10-over spell left Lindow too much to do in the latter stages and the rest of the attack benefited with wickets for Waterman, Rolfe, Johnson and Ed Parkinson securing a 40-run win.