YEOFORD opened their Buckley Cup campaign against Tedburn St Mary on May 27 and after winning the toss Yeoford decided to field.

The first few overs were a tad costly with Craig Stanbury and Paul Leach on the end of some fine shots from Mark and Alex, and after five overs Tedburn found themselves on 50 runs.

After Alex Williams retired the Yeoford bowlers came to life, with Cleave Collins taking a vital wicket. Following that regular wickets fell, with fine bowling from Matt Uren, Dan Uren and new recruit Shaun Hawkins who took 4-9 with one outstanding diving catch from Matt Leach who then put Yeoford in a great position leaving Tedburn on 20 overs scoring 116.

In reply Matt Leach got Yeoford off to a perfect start scoring a very quick 24 then being caught on the boundary after his eyes lit up from the bowling of seasoned cricketer Pete Rich. After Cleave Collins was bowled out it was down to Shaun Hawkins to hold the fort and in no time he scored 30 after his last three balls sailed over the rope for three huge sixes.

It then came down to the two new Uren recruits, Matt and Andy. Both made fine 25’s after hitting some very good bowling all over the park, much to the dismay of Alex Williams who didn’t take nicely to going for 21 from four overs including one maiden.

Matt and Andy brought the game well within distance. After 14 overs we needed four to win, and up stepped Joe Cochran, who after getting the go ahead from the skipper to “go for it” smashed the first ball of the 15th over for a large six over the clubhouse bringing the game home.

All round a very fine performance from all who played. Man of the Match goes to Shaun Hawkins with fine figures of four for nine and smashing 30 from not many balls.

SPREYTON V YEOFORD

Tuesday, May 31 saw Yeoford travel to Spreyton, who batted first and lost two early wickets with some good bowling from Andy Coren who had figures of four overs, one wicket for seven runs.

Craig Stanbury got the second but then was a tad expensive as the class of the Spreyton players showed the next three batsmen scoring 25’s but then some good death bowling from Matt Leach and Josh Misslebrook left Spreyton with 125 off 20 overs.

This was not helped by a drop catch each from Dan Uren and Matt Uren and probably more surprising, Paul Leach kept hold of one and with all fingers intact!

Yeoford consequently got off to a slow start which is how the season has been going lately.

Scott Kelly chipped in with a well-played 21 and Josh Misselbrook hit 25, but the game had got away from Yeoford.

Needing more than 10 an over from the last five or six, Yeoford made 95 for four off 20 overs.

All in all Spreyton were the better side on the night.

One of the highlights of the game was Craig Stanbury diving to the left and almost taking a spectacular catch and mid wicket, the ball was hit with a lot of power but Craig got his trusty palms there, and certainly stopped a boundary.

Man of the Match goes to Josh Misselbrook for a fine 25 and good figures of one for 14 off of three overs.

The game was sponsored by MC Kelly Poultry and D Searle and Partners.

Dan Uren