Delph 3rd XI opened their new venture in the Greater Manchester Cricket League Sunday League with an away fixture against Mottram 3rd XI. Mottram Cricket Club’s ground looked like a picture in the sunshine and is a credit to all involved in the club.
Delph batted first but struggled early on against opening bowlers Paul Marks and William Davis and struggled to 6 for 67. Only opener Jason Leaver made a significant contribution early on with a patient 29. Then young Noah Kershaw, playing his first senior match, joined forces with Lucas Selby and the pair slowly started to rebuild the innings. Selby survived a dropped catch in the covers when in single figures, but he then started to find his form stroking the ball elegantly around the ground.
The pair added a valuable 31 runs before Kershaw was bowled for 3 off 29 balls but his support to Selby was crucial at that time. This brought in George Partington at No 9 and the two 15 year olds soon started crashing the ball around. They put on a partnership of 126 which proved to be a match winning one. Partington made a chanceless 81 off 45 balls with 10 4’s and 3 6’s before falling in the 38 th over. Selby remained unbeaten on 75 off 59 balls with 10 4’s and 1 6 to steer Delph to a formidable 240 for 8 off their allotted 40 overs.
In reply Mottram were kept pegged back by opening bowlers Isaac Jones and Zak Pemberton and were soon reduced to 4 for 18 and then 7 for 44. Some late order partnerships with Harley Swain (12), Sam Bennett (28) and Scarlett Maxwell-Brahms (10) added some respectability to enable the home side to reach 96 at the close of the innings and a win for Delph by 144 runs. The wickets were shared about by the Delph bowlers with Isaac Jones taking 2 for 9, Zac Pemberton 2 for 12, Lucas Selby 2 for 17, George Partington 1 for 11 and Isaac Davis 1 for 15.
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