Dove Holes 205-9
New Mills 31ao
Dove Holes win by 174 runs
Cricket finally returned to Dove this week as New Mills visited a Covid secure DHCC.
Dove won the toss and elected to bat first and opener Gilbride (44) set the foundations for Gemmell (80) as Dove amassed 205-9.
In reply the visitors had no answer to some excellent bowling from skipper Critchlow (5-10) and a Gilbride (5-18) as they were dismissed for just 31 inside 19 overs.
Dove are at home again next week as they host 2019 champions Dinting.
Thoughts from Umpire Neil Shaw...
No thrills
Handy for the hills
That’s the way you spell New Mills
So sang the boys from Birkenhead, as the Millers traversed the relatively small distance to the gritty limestone features of salt-of-the-earth Dove Holes. My fellow Umpire was Nick Latham, and if there’s anybody more qualified to confide the latest “who’s-done-what”, in Whaley Bridge, then I’ve yet to meet him.
The day started with a huge schoolboy howler, but after arriving far too early, I was greeted with a cup of tea, and a display of COVID 19 preparation from the feisty, but friendly Pam, who proudly boasted that Dove Holes Cricket Club was now the safest haven, this side of Planet Mars.
The weather could best be described as moody, and after winning the toss, Captain Critchlow elected to bat first.
It would be an outrageous understatement to suggest that 3 of the 4 New Mills opening bowlers were consistent in line and length, whilst not enjoying the greatest of luck. However, the highlight of the innings was undoubtedly Joe Gregory’s remarkable achievement of facing both the first and last overs, whilst simultaneously pulling a calf muscle, supping 4 pints, and scoring 2 not out.
Dove eventually reached 201, with James Gemmill scoring somewhere between 35 and 75, depending on whether you believed the scorebook or scoreboard.
In reply, New Mills struggled against Gilbride and Critchlow, and Ashley Boardman was particularly unfortunate to suffer a bizarre pad-bat-helmet dismissal.
Eventually, they succumbed to around 41, and we retired to Carter’s Bar, and Pam’s inimitable efforts to keep the Dove flag flying.
Great shots from John Fryer for more visit https://www.fryerpix.com
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