Division One

Stainsby Hall first XI 92 all out beat Matlock first XI 89 all out by three runs.

After many Winter net sessions, and with half a new team, Matlock travelled to newly promoted Stainsby Hall with ambitions to do more than make up the numbers in 2008, but were agonisingly beaten by three runs in a drama filled day.

Stainsby batted first on a slow low seaming wicket and were soon in all sorts of trouble at 9-4 as they crashed to great new ball bowling by Eddie Lowe, ably supported by Mandla Mashimbyi.

Tight bowling, rapier sharp fielding and large dollops of enthusiasm not seen for quite a few years had Stainsby on the back foot throughout the innings, and when Morris slogged across the line to the returning Lowe the innings closed on 92 all out.

All the bowlers deserve their moment in the sun.

Mashimbyi bowled with pace and movement, Maazi man-of-the-match Lowe with an accuracy lacking last season, Adam Burton with promise and a consistent full length, and Steve Haslam for his customary miserly return.

In reply to what ought to have been a stroll saw Matlock`s hopes come crashing down.

Josh Mierkalns, Andy Smith, Martin Leatherday and Mark Burton were unluckily dismissed without doubt, but others made shot selections or decisions they ought to think hard about before their next innings.

Smyth, Chavda and Barlow bowled with great control as the wickets fell and the runs dried up. Mark Burton took 35 balls to score as tension gripped the players of both sides and spectators alike.

A single or wide was clapped as much as The Second Coming as slowly but slowly the scores got closer and closer. And then it was all over.

With four runs to win Andy Barlow enticed Adam Burton down the wicket, the bails were swept off by Greaves and Stainsby, outplayed for much of the game, were victors by three runs.