Last Over Joy

Our rearranged Saturday league fixture with Rothwell Town 2nds proved a tense and exciting game all the way to the last over.

Willoughby skipper Ben Hollis shocked everyone by winning his first toss in 12 games. After team sheets were exchanged, he decided to ask the vistors to bat first.

Despite a very different looking set of Rothwell players coming out to bat, the ever reliable duo of Dan 'Cillit Bang' Farrow and Callum Hanks soon had the visitors struggling for runs. A wicket for Hanks was well deserved after many edges to third man. Skipper Ben Hollis saw an opportunity to make a different bowling change to normal and brought on the spinner Chait Kursusala. An inspired bowling change saw two hat trick opportunities in Chait's first two overs, sadly both played well by the Rothwell batsmen, however another 4 wickets had fallen. Boyed by his batting success the previous day for Rothwell 1st XI in Division 2, Stephen O'Brien added a well constructed 59 runs to hold the middle order together supported by M Aldrige's 25. An excellent first team debut for Rees Moor ended with figures of 10 overs, 3 maidens, 0 for 19. Rothwell finished on a decent score of 152 after the 45 overs. Chait's 4 for 16 off 10 overs was the highlight.

Willoughby's reply started poorly with the early departure of Chait, LBW for 7 runs after a good opening spell from Alfie Frayne, who was bowling a much better line than the previous day for Rothwell 1st XI in Division 2. Youngsters Michael Deery and Dan Farrow batted well defending the good balls and attacking the bad balls, eventually ended when Deery fell for a well made 35. A middle order of Ash Rayner (21 runs) and Scott Cluley (32 not out) kept the scoreboard moving towards the target of 153 despite some very tight bowling from Andrew White who repeated his 1st XI performance from the previous day. Skipper Ben Hollis provided a quick fire 6, 4 and out, before the tense last over started with Scott Cluley and veteran Nikesh 'Light Bulb' Mistry needing 14 runs for victory. A cut for 4 to third man from Nikesh off the first ball excited the crowd, before a lofty straight drive for 6 brought much cheering. 4 from 4 balls needed. A quick single followed and then a mistake from first XI player Cameron Knox allowed 2 byes, 2 needed from 2 balls. Scott hit another lofted straight drive off the next ball for the winning 4 runs to the delight of the crowd and Willoughby team.

.