A lonely Spencer Taylor on boundary duty
Match report by B Anthony
Flintham First XI suffered their third defeat of the season last Saturday in the South Nottinghamshire League A.
Earlier losses had followed a middle order collapse.
However, this week the loss was due to some exceptional batting by the opposition, Belvoir Cricket Club.
After being put in to bat, Flintham posted a very respectable 300 runs from the 50 overs.
Top scorers were opener James Taylor with 55 and Spencer Taylor, batting at number four, with a respectable knock of 74.
Belvoir took seven wickets but conceded 27 wides.
Best bowling figures were by Joe Bottomley.
He only conceded 32 runs in his 10 overs, none of which was extras.
Flintham raced off to a cracking start, taking a wicket with the third ball of the innings.
Jack Playle removed Joe Bottomley for just one run with an arrowed delivery onto the middle stump.
Further wickets fell regularly, and Belvoir found themselves 140 for five in the 30th over, needing 160 runs in the next 20.
Enter Lewis Dann and Phil Irvine, who set about increasing the run rate with some quicksilver running between the wickets.
Irvine scoring 59 at a run a ball and Lewis Dann making 82 off just 60 deliveries.
Th 141 partnership took Belvoir over the line to a well-earned win.
Flintham captain Max Danby was the star bowler, taking two wickets for 34 runs in his 10 overs.
Max said: “It’s a tough defeat to take.
“We put in a strong performance with the bat to post 300, and at 140 for five we felt in control.
“To let it slip from there is disappointing.
“There are definite positives to take from the game, but we know we need to be better at closing out matches from these positions”.
And Spencer Taylor said: “It was a close game that we are disappointed to lose from a winning position.
“Some key lessons must be learned quickly ready for next week.”
During the afternoon, Flintham Cricket Club hosted a welcome event for villagers.
More than 20 residents attended and enjoyed tea and home-made cakes cake in the Pavilion.
Some even appreciated the cricket…
