After recording a 10 wicket victory the day before against Birkby Rose Hill, the 1sts were looking to set up a cup tie against premiership side Skelmanthorpe on May 3rd. Denby Dale were the visitors to the hill and would prove worthy opponents having narrowly lost to Emley Clarence the day before.

Rastrick won the toss and elected to bat allowing Waterson and Rowles the opportunity to pick up where they left off the day before. Unfortunately they didn’t get off to the best start as Rowles was removed for just 4 after being caught at mid-off. This then brought Bradley Birkhead to the crease. Birkhead had previously spent the winter in Australia practicing his trade in Melbourne with club side Clyde. He formed a brilliant partnership with Waterson as the both passed 50 without giving the opposition a chance. At 110 for 1 off 33 overs Birkhead decided to push the run rate on hitting a couple of sixes on his way to 68 before getting out to smart catch by Denby Dales overseas Nick Wanden. Waterson was then joined at the crease by the ‘nervous’ Australian overseas Mitchell McCoach. McCoach and Waterson had previously played together back at Mitchells home club in Geelong, Victoria. Keen to make a good impression in front of a highly anticipated crowd and team McCoach didn’t disappoint sending the ball to all corners of the ground playing some lovely cricket shots on his way to a quick fire 87 not out which included 13 boundaries and a couple of mammoth sixes. Jacob stuck with him to the end on his way to a fantastic 122* timing everything to perfection and tormenting the Denby Dale bowlers as they struggled to bowl to the left hander. Rastrick finished on a brilliant 291 for 2 after a quick fire 100+ partnership from McCoach and Waterson.

After tea Rastrick took to the field confident of defending such a strong score. Denby Dale opener raced onto 18 quickly before being dismissed by Jordan Ghani after an identical catch by McCoach as he had done the day before. Oliver Ashford picked up his first wicket of the season after clean bowling Denby Dales number 3. Another quick wicket fell as some suicidal running led to the other opener being run out. The oppositions overseas Nick Wanden was then at the crease scoring runs at a relatively steady pace although wickets kept falling around him courtesy of 3 from Oliver Pearson and 1 from Oliver Marsh. Wanden continued to score runs passing 50 and later 100. A partnership was eventually formed when Wanden was joined at the crease by B.Oldroyd. After being 140 for 7 off 32 overs the pair raced on to 240 for 7 with 7 overs left to bat. Wanden then reached another landmark as he passed 150 and looked as though he would go on to be the match winner. After tight overs from Ghani, Ashford, and Oliver Pearson the run rate once again increased forcing Wanden to play one shot too many off the bowling of Jack Pearson as he picked out Matthew ‘the grandad’ Lambert on the boundary edge for a comfortable catch. Jack then got the final wicket as he trapped the number 11 leg before bowling Denby Dale all out for 269 ending the game and sending Rastrick through after a hard fought win.

A good opening weekend for the 1sts winning both games in different fashions. Both games were well supported and hopefully the crowds will grow as the weather and results get better.

The club also wishes to thank Mr Lee Marsh for the match ball sponsorship.

Article by Jack Pearson.
Title and tags: David Jarratt