Matlock second XI 120-9 (27 points) beat Whitmoor RC first XI 115 all out (five points)

by five runs.

HEAVY overnight rain had seeped through the covers, leaving a mosaic of wet and dry patches on the wicket for Sunday’s match at Causeway Lane.

Losing such an important toss was a setback to the hosts who were asked to bat first on what was obviously going to be a tricky surface.

Openers Paul Chadbourne and Steve Webster batted sensibly, Chadbourne attacking whenever possible with Webster playing the anchor role.

Webster was adjudged LBW for four runs, with the same fate befalling Luke Pressland for 14.

Chadbourne battled on before he was caught trying to loft a shot into the outfield for a well made 46.

Matlock’s middle order fell away and it was left to skipper Guy Roberts (15) and Rob Lowe (26) to at least give Matlock’s bowlers something to bowl at.

Matlock needed an early breakthrough and Pressland (1-23) obliged, bowling opener Fearn for a duck.

Whitmoor recovered from this setback and their other top order batsmen contributed well to their cause against some excellent seam bowling from Ed Lander, Andy Hawkmoon and recently married Ian Watson.

With the score progressing to 68-3 and with plenty of time left, Whitmoor were in the driving seat.

The re-introduction of Lander for a second spell was crucial as he immediately removed the dangerous Neil ‘Chunky’ Bradbury for 29.

A fine innings of 21 from skipper Dave Parsons moved Whitmoor within touching distance of victory before he too was bowled by the fired up Lander.

The climax of the match had Whitmoor needing six runs to win off two overs, with one wicket remaining.

As Watson stepped forward to bowl the penultimate over four different results were possible for Matlock.

His third delivery of the over, a big in-swinging yorker, hit Straw on the pads, a big appeal, a raised finger and Matlock’s knack of winning tight matches once more had then claiming victory and 27 points.

Watson finished with 4-27 and Chubb Solicitors man-of-the-match Ed Lander finished with 4-20.