How Winning Feels: Shelton CC v. Bomere Heath CC, 19/7/08

Result: Shelton CC - 1st XI Won by 8 wickets
Bomere Heath First XI: 97 all out (35 overs), Shelton First XI: 100/2 (23.3 overs)
Highlights: Shelton - Rhett Williamson 55, Andy Wigginton 5/33, Lawrence Bayley 3/19.

Shelton Cricket Club celebrated their second win of the 2008 Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League season on Saturday, taking little time to see off an off-colour Bomere Heath side at home. The swirling wind kept spectators and players alert, although the atmosphere on the pitch was far from "chilled", as Shelton set about their task with typical determination. Ian Gillespie scored a solid 42 from 77 balls to set Bomere Heath up, before Shelton’s Andy Wigginton had him trapped LBW. Wigginton took 5 for 33 from his 12 overs, although Sam Griffiths, Ben Chambers and Lawrence Bayley all scored wickets to eliminate Bomere danger men, together with consistent glovework from Shelton’s charismatic wicketkeeper, Matt Morris. Having been bowled for 97 on what was a good wicket for batsmen, the visitors knew they would have their work cut out.

Following the interval, Shelton tried another opening batting partnership, as Morris moved up the order to cover for an ill Ishan Radotra. He put 17 runs on the board, anchoring the innings with Rhett Williamson. Adam Humphreys again showed great skill with the bat, a calmly-taken straight drive crossing the longest boundary for runs which helped to close the match. He has thoroughly deserved his recent promotion from the home side’s Second XI, along with fellow batsman Harry Jones, who had taken a crucial catch in the first innings to remove Chris Stevens on 19. Williamson’s 55 ensuring the young side needed only 23.3 overs to win the match. Appropriately, Williamson finished with a smart, hooked four, leading to celebrations in the pavilion.

Match report and photographs by Stuart Garlick