Gamekeeper sees off the Poachers

Electing to bat Horwich got off to a good start helped by some indifferent bowling from the Howfen attack,visibly tired from the previous day and night’s extravagances. Reaching 70 off 16overs it looked as if a 200plus total was on the cards however a bowling change bringing on the grizzly Jason Dunning changed the course of the game.

Bears extra pace shook up the batsmen as he dispensed with the top 4 in quick succession in his initial spell. Firstly the left handed opener chipped to Jamie McAndrew at cover then the no3 went first ball in a similar fashion fending off, Sam Howells was well set on 38 before he went to a smart catch behind by Chris Trow as Westhoughton got back in the game.
Woody was looking jaded as he threw in numerous wides,as he was being heckled by the Horwich batsman,supporters and players.Runi turned to Jimmy to catch the toys as the Woody mist descended.
Jimmy replaced Woody and bowled through his 10overs keeping things tight and picking up a wicket in the process.
Jason Dunning returned for a second spell as senior players Mark Knowles and David Hunt batting 6 and 7 looked to rebuild.Hodgy left the slip cordon having worn a couple on the shins took a regulation catch at mid-off as Hunt drove in the air whilst Knowles repeatedly played and missed,Jason finished his quota with another 5fer despite having a couple of chances in the slips go abegging.
With Horwich now well under the cosh Charlie replaced Jimmy and got straight into the action picking up a wicket first ball bowled then picked up another caught mid-off by Jamie McAndrew as Horwich tried to up the scoring and wrestle back some initiative
Dan Higham replaced Jason and picked up the last 2 wickets of Knowles bowled then the no11 was smartly caught at cover point first ball to give Jamie a hat-trick of catches. All out 141.

Westhoughton’s Glenn Bullock and Matt Trow put on 35 for the first wicket before Matt missed a full toss and was bowled.Glenn looking shaky early on and survived a nick to keeper and first slip who made a hash of it followed by a mistimed drive over point which dropped safe,went onto hit 28 before missing a straight one with score at 75. Runi top edged a full toss and was out for only 2.With 50 needed Charlie came to the wicket and hit some quickfire boundaries off the legspinner Morris to effectively seal the game. Hodgy quietly moved onto 49 and needing only one for victory Horwich bowled a wide before trudging off a defeated team resorting to whining about the quality of Westhoughtons side; typical lack of sportsmanship which we have got accustomed to over the years.

If you cant play cricket against the big boys stick to juniors lads !

Semi final next up Sunday 6th July