Game 1 – Colton (Home)

Saturday 21st April 2007

The ICC faced a tricky opening game against Colton, who undoubtedly will be pushing for promotion this year. A defeat in the penultimate game last year to the ICC ended Colton’s promotion challenge and therefore they came to Denton Road with a score to settle. The weather was good and the ICC boys were in confident mood after a productive Scarborough trip and some hard pre season training.

Uncharacteristically the skipper lost the toss and the ICC were put into bat. The ICC were without usual opening batsmen Alex Bailey who was undergoing minor surgery on his bruised wrist. The Hustler and overseas player Joaquin Phoenix (Dan) strode to the crease like Gladiators entering the colluseum ready for battle. The ICC openers got off to a sedate start primarily down to accurate seam bowling from Colton rather than lack of endeavour on their part. This pressure took its toll, as Hustler tried to force the pace and played on to a delivery. In walked the skipper who had elevated himself up the order to three, but he fell cheaply driving the ball to cover.


Santy lad came in at four and typically got the scoreboard moving immediately with some good punchy shots through the mid-wicket region. This had an effect on Dan who was starting to score more freely, but as soon as the partnership reached 50 Mike fell tamely getting a leading edge to mid-on. Wheels was next and was batting well with Dan, as the pair took quick singles as well as putting the poor balls away for four. However just as the partnership was starting to flourish, Wheels spooned one up to cover. The remaining wickets fell at a steady rate with a couple of unfortunate run outs which hindered the chances of reaching a total of 200. Instead the ICC were all out for 160 with five overs to spare. Praise must be given to Dan (76) who carried his bat and managed the tail well, without his efforts the score would have been much lower.

Although the score was less than satisfactory, the ICC were confident of repeating the feat of last year and bowling Colton out cheaply. Early wickets were needed in order to sow the seeds of doubts in the Colton batsman’s minds. However this did not occur as wayward Ilkley bowling and aggressive stroke play meant that Colton were 69 for 1 after ten overs, with Dan and Rhodesy getting particularly punished. Although they were unfortunate at times, as the top three played and missed on occasions. Dicky toiled at the other end and got the breakthrough by getting one to pop and Wheels taking a comfortable catch at second slip. With the game slipping away Captain Gup turned to his trump card by bringing on the ever reliable Jayesy. This was an inspired move as Jayesy took two wickets in his first over, his nagging line proved too tempting for the two victims who both edged to Dicky at first sleep who snaffled the chances well. Gup turned to slow bowling at the other end with Cocky entering the attack. The pair combined well to stem the runs and when Cocky dismissed the aggressive Colton’s overseas batsmen there was a glimmer of hope with Colton on 91-4. With the pressure being applied particularly by Jayesy’s consistent lines, two more wickets fell as Colton spluttered to 125-6. However a composed knock by Colton’s David Wright (48) led the away team to victory, he was dismissed when the scores were tied by Macca who bowled a lively spell at the end.

The ICC battled well in the second half but it was evident that they were thirty/forty runs shy. Highlights of the day were Dan’s knock of 76 and Jayesy’s figures of 3 for 36 off 11 overs.