Weakened side still bat strong

Published on 22nd May 2008 in Sport

Skirlaugh 1st XI 159-3

Gilberdyke 1st XI 226-6

A weakened Gilberdyke travelled to Skirlaugh for Saturday's East Yorkshire Alliance fixture and found a green top on being asked to bat first.

And they were quickly reduced to 15 - 2 after five overs before a partnership of 83 between Watson (25) and D. Wilde (49) helped them gain some control.

When Wilde was out for that 49 the visitors had reached 106 in 27 overs, before Houseman and Gillen joined together, with the latter attacking strongly and making a rapid 25 before holing out in the outfield.

Houseman then took up the attack with debutant Callis and 62 came in the last seven overs of the innings, with the former making 51 before he went in the last over and Callis making 40.

A total of 226-6 looked good, but with only two regular bowlers available they knew it was not totally out of range.

However, opening bowler Butler struck in the ffirst over and four overs later to reduce Skirlaugh to 12-2

Callis was introduced into the attack, and he troubled the home batting without any success, but at the halfway point they were well behind the asking rate at 57-2.

The part time bowlers Bell and Houseman were well supported by good fielding as Skirlaugh were still well below the asking rate required, and Smith was out for 44 in the 32nd over with the score on 128.

Watson and Callis bowled the final right overs without any more wickets as the home side finished on 159-3 with Bartlett unbeaten on 57 and Blank on 18.

Another good points haul though for the visitors.