Paul has all the Wright moves for Carlton

Published on 10th May 2007 in Sport

Carlton Towers 154- 2

Whitkirk 152

Carlton Towers secured their first success of the season with a convincing eight wicket demolition of Leeds side Whitkirk

It was a significant result for the Fishpond Field side, particularly as the attack captured all the opposition wickets for the second week in succession.

Gareth Roberts showed his good form taking 5-49, assisted by two extraordinary slip catches from Jamie Pocklington, the skipper, having returned from a nine hour flight from Florida to arrive in Manchester at 9.30am, insisted on turning out, to strengthen the batting line up. It turned out to be his major contribution on the day.

Like the performance against York last week, the Whitkirk batting line up was soon reduced to 23-4. Gareth Roberts and Paul Wright, who capped an effective all round display, both took a brace of wickets each.

It took an eighth wicket partnership of 59 to attempt to make the Whitkirk score respectable, with Luke Pettman making 49 and Ian Tait 27. However, it was to no avail as Whitkirk were all out for 152 in the 44th over.

Whilst the batting performance in the defeat against York last week was disappointing, the irreplaceable Paul Wright was in no mood to compromise.

He produced an effective batting performance to lay the foundations for the success, making 51. It was his fastest fifty for many years coming in 13 overs before he was out with the score on 89. Ian Leach was just a spectator, as Wright struck nine fours in his total.

As is usually the case, the loss of one wicket in a good partnership, leads to another and so it was, when Leach was caught at long off for 34.

The win was achieved in the 26th over when Jonathan Dilks and Neil Robinson, with another indispensable contribution, both made an unbeaten 28 in a partnership of 54.

Having now come out of the blocks and with the return of Jamie Pocklington, the season is now fully underway for Carlton Towers. This success, coming at the right time, may well form the foundations of consolidation in the top half of the table.

Pocklington II 273-3, Carlton Towers II 132-7

Having performed well in the opener at Thorpe Arch and Boston Spa last week, Carlton Towers' second string came back down to earth with a bump, although managing to avoid defeat, against a rampant batting display by Pocklington in Division Six.

The performance earned them a solitary point for the result although three bonus points for runs scored and wickets taken. In other words, no more than defeat.

Carlton Towers welcomed the return of 13-year-old Mark Spetch, who batted well and made his top score for the side with 27. However, the side had to rely once again on opener Darren Graves, who followed up his undefeated 82 last week with a determined 67. These were the only batsmen to make double figures though.

The Carlton Towers attack took a pounding, as Pocklington's Captain Gary Milner made 61, John Uttley 85 and with undefeated innings' from Ian Jozesoute with 59 and Rich William with 21. Steve Landers was once again the pick of the bowlers though taking 3-47.

A match to be confined to the history books though, missing the chapter when May 5, 2007 faces the reader.

Fixtures for Saturday. May 12

Hunters York and District Senior League

Division One

Pocklington v Carlton Towers I

Division Six

Carlton Towers II v Civil Service II

HPH York Vale League

Division Five

Malton & Old Malton IV v Carlton Towers III