It was a day of twists and turns. On a perfect spring day no one could have written the script after a dominant start with the ball, with Sam Gardner removing two home batters without a run on the board.

Gardner was well supported by debutant Asad as Batley struggled to gain the upper hand. The openers were well backed up by Jordan Pickles, Shoaib Hassan (two wickets) Marcus Kelly (one wicket) and the continued fine form of Richard Tesseyman.

The returning ginger seamer followed up his three wickets the previous Saturday with four further scalps. His wicket to wicket bowling and tight line and length has brought deserved early season joy. The wicket keeping of Chrissy Dyer was back to its very best and the fielding was excellent, with Hassan, Gardner and Thommy Powe all staring.

There was still time for Tesseyman to fix the broken scorebox with a bit of hot wiring learnt from his days in electrical training college.

Back on the pitch the reply started solidly, before Brooke and Richie Thompson fell. And when David Knight and Dyer both departed sweeping, the home team sensed a shock. The visitors rallied thanks to excellent batting from the promoted Hassan and the solid Pickles.

When Hassan fell for an excellent 29, there was still 25 runs to get. But sound batting from Gardner and Pickles took the visitors within sight. Hassan and Pickles had played superb match winning knocks.

However, further twists followed with a late shutter of wickets and, in front of a healthy crowd, lengthening shadows Asad and Pickles held their nerve with the latter calming hitting the winning runs. It had been a long day but it was deserved win for the twos.
Thanks to all the spectators who made the journey over to see a game which will live long in the memory.

Matthew Booth man of the match award – Richie Tesseyman
Fielding point – Shoaib Hassan