NORTHWICH could be forgiven for wanting to play a short version of the game every week.
Mark Walker’s men, still searching for a first victory of the campaign in the Cheshire County League’s third tier, cruised to the Joseph Holt Brewery T20’s knockout stage following a 62-run success at Davenham on Thursday.
They are guaranteed to finish as group-winners as a result.
Their progress is as deserved as it is unexpected after emphatic victories against higher-ranked rivals – they had beaten Weaverham by 33 runs at Moss Farm earlier this month.
However they are unlikely to meet an opponent as charitable as last night’s hosts; Davenham’s attack delivered 30 wides in an extras tally of 40.
The visitors racked up 190-5 after winning the toss, led by in-form Walker (80no off 62 balls) who struck nine fours and four maximums after being dropped early in his innings.
He added 49 runs for the fourth wicket with Matthew Dufty (28) as Northwich recovered from 25-3.
Ben Gough (2-24) had struck in successive deliveries to remove Glinoj Cherian and Chandrika Wathukarage, while Mike Sambell’s smart stumping off Robin Taylor’s bowling accounted for Gladwin Cherian.
Lee Evans (22) later helped Walker to put on 56 for the fifth wicket.
20 | @NorthwichCC1826 run up a huge 190-5 at @davenhamcc.
— Andrew Simpson (@simmo_on_sport) May 25, 2017
Walker's unbeaten half-century a highlight for the visitors 🏏
Davenham slipped quickly behind the required run-rate in their reply, although hard-hitting from Sam Robbins (34 off 23 balls) and Oli Gallagher (37 off 24 balls) during a partnership worth 73 runs put them back on course.
Robbins then fell, caught by Matthew Dufty off brother Andrew’s bowling, then the former sent Gallagher packing in the next over after he chipped straight to Wathukarage.
The home team’s momentum disappeared, and their final eight wickets fell for just 33 runs.
Elliot Alston (23 off 12 balls) was the only other batsman to threaten before he too holed out to Matthew Dufty off the bowling of James Gittings (2-22).
🍾 Champagne moment...
— Andrew Simpson (@simmo_on_sport) May 25, 2017
Gotta be huge six by @davenhamcc batsman @Elliot_Alston back over head of @NorthwichCC1826 bowler Mohammad Ajmal 🏏
Andrew Dufty finished with 3-10 from his four overs, while Matthew claimed 4-7.
Davenham, unbeaten previously during a new season, head to Weaverham for what is now a dead rubber in a fortnight.
Result
Joseph Holt Brewery T20
Thursday, May 25
Group Five
Davenham 128 Northwich 190-5
Link to scorecard is here
Fixtures (from 6pm)
Thursday, June 8
Weaverham v Davenham
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