WINNINGTON Park's1st XI suffered a narrow defeat against Tattenhall in a game where they will look back on missed opportunities.
With two leagues between the two sides last season it was always going to be tough, but Park can be pleased with the performance they gave.
Bryan Shingler impressed with the new ball but came away with no reward. Winnington did well to contain and control the middle overs, but they didn't get wickets at the required times.
Mike Dunning (2-23 off 10) put together another excellent spell, including removing the dangerous Okell (50).
Danny Westwood gave his best display so far for the club, taking 4-29 in a relentless bowling spell of great line and length. Jonny Wales (2-21) put in a good cameo at the end and Tattenhall posted a strong 157-8 off their 40 overs. In reply Park lost a couple of early wickets and were looking on the brink, but a superb 4th wicket partnership between Wales and Matt Atherton (32) put Winnington in the driving seat.
A close run out for Atherton was to change the game with runs difficult to come by on a slow track.
Wales was eventually removed for a well-grafted 50 and Park fell just 15 runs short. A much improved performance and with many players returning, Park will be in confident mood as they look to face off against fellow division 2 teams in the coming weeks for the first time this summer.
Captain Alec Butcher said: "It was a shame to come out on the losing side of a close fought game of cricket, but there are plenty of positives to take from it and also areas we know we can improve on.
"Our bowling attack bowled very well as a unit, with particular standout performances from Danny Westwood at the death and the ever reliable Michael Dunning keeping the pressure on during the middle overs.
"With the bat, Jonny Wales was superb with a high class performance on a pitch that wasn’t conducive for extravagant shot-making.
"Matt Atherton also got to grips with the conditions with fantastic intent and threatened to drag the game our way. Unfortunately, we fell just short. We know we can be better in the field and ultimately there were too many runs from our mistakes. We also need to take note of the value Jonny places on his wicket and look to build more partnerships with the bat.
"We have all the ability to string together a good run of victories through the rest of the season and look forward to kicking that off next week, eager to improve and see the results of our hard work at nets."
The 2nd XI were in confident mood again as they swept aside Hartford 1st XI in a local derby. Park won the toss and elected to bowl and were on top throughout the innings.
Matt Hamblett (3-32 off 10) got the rewards he deserved for yet another accurate spell of bowling. At the other end
Alex Unwin gave nothing away going for just 3 runs off his 7 overs. Park managed to control the middle overs through the experienced due of Jim Hanson (3-16 off 10) and Ashley Houghton (1-22 off 10).
Hanson was in fine form and Houghton (playing his last game of the year) showed how much he will be missed for the rest of season.
Joe Paterson brought a tidy end to the innings with 1-5 off 3. At the end of their 40 overs, Park had restricted Hartford to just 89-9.
In reply, last week's hero Pimblatt looked assured at the crease but was unable to build an innings again. This brought the familiar due of Jayant Kumar and Kendol Richardson. Their unbeaten partnership steered Park to another victory, Kumar with a well-crafted 40* to send him back to the top of the league batting charts and Richardson 39* off 28 was at his best at the other end. Next up is a big 1st vs 2nd placed fixture next week at Caldy that could potentially decide the league title.
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