July has brought weather more suited to cricket than anything we’d had before in 2015, but rain still managed to erase a return friendly v Sheffield Hitters at Tideswell.
Friendly matches
Tideswell lost several friendly matches by small margins – against the Peak Park XI, Youlgreave and Baslow. Several younger players are making their mark these days for Tideswell: James Isaac hit his first ball for 6 in the Baslow game, and 12-year-old Thomas Cunningham took 1-31 off 10 overs at Youlgreave.
Cricket is a remarkable game, in that winning is not everything that matters.
League matches
At Norton on 27 June, Tideswell were bowled out for 59, but made the home side struggle as Greg Taylor took 3-13. Norton were 5 wickets down when the winning runs were scored. Norton are clear leaders in Div. 5 with a 100% record.
In the Baslow game, played at Tideswell, Baslow were bowled out for 133, Richard Taylor taking 6-34. This was a game Tideswell were hoping to win, as Baslow are in the relegation zone in Div. 5, but in the end they could only score 96 in reply, for the loss of 8 wickets. Greg Taylor and Ian Hoverd both made 18.
On 18 July Tideswell were away v second-bottom side Chesterfield 3rds. After one game lost to the weather and one which remains Chesterfield 3rds’ only win of the season, in this third encounter there was no messing about. Chesterfield were dismissed for just 83 (Dan Shirt 5-18), and Tideswell proceeded to a convincing win for the loss of just 3 wickets. Mike Sayers hit 27 as opener, and George Brown (32*) was there at the close. This result moves Tideswell up a place, and 30 points clear of the relegation zone.
There’s nothing like winning a game of cricket.