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Bolly undone by Dan

8/ 8/2007

Bollington's recent poor form continued this past weekend as they slumped to a third consecutive defeat, this time by 60 runs at Cheadle, after being undone by the pace of Aussie bowler Dan Schuppan.

With Cheadle batting first, the Bolly attack looked to make inroads into their hosts' line-up and used the new ball well to restrict the scoring rate to under three runs per over in the first 20, while also picking up two wickets.

There then followed a sensible period of consolidation by the Cheadle batsmen, Malooq in particular playing a sensible innings, gleaning runs where available without further loss.

Accelerating the scoring rate as required, Malooq eventually fell for 79 but had sufficient support at the other end to raise Cheadle's tally to 181-7 from their allocation.

This appeared to be a fair, yet challenging total.

For Bolly, Adam Jones picked up three wickets, and Aldo Pallazzo bowled a controlled spell and was unlucky not to pick up more than a single wicket.

In reply, the visitors' intent was much the same as the first innings, to see off the opening spells of the attack, particularly dangerman Schuppan, before accelerating through the latter stages.

All was well as Bolly reached 69-2 before Schuppan returned to the attack and immediately removed the imperious Jones for 49, albeit with great help from the pitch as the ball skidded through at ankle height.

What then followed was an inglorious collapse as the middle order came and went, including three wickets in a single over for Schuppan to decimate the Bolly reply.

Martyn Knight, having been stranded at the non-striker's end throughout the carnage, played a defiant innings of 35 but was eventually the last man out as the innings closed on a paltry 121.

Bollington must now regroup and find the form they showed earlier in the season if they are to avoid slipping further down the league table.

The second team restored some pride for the club as they extended their unbeaten streak to five games with a 24-run victory over Burnage.

Contributions from nearly all of the batsmen saw Bolly post 188 (Matt Wood 43), before removing Burnage for 164, thanks to another magnificent haul of seven for 58 from the prolific Carl Henshaw.