Uttoxeter Online Magazine

Uttoxeter got their promotion chase back on track with a responding win against Nutbrook.

Playing at Nutbrook for the first time the game couldn’t have got off to a worse start for Uttoxeter with captain Walmsley losing the toss and seeing his side sent into bat and having both openers back inside the pavilion within the 1st 3 overs with only 5 runs on the board.

This however gave the two of the senior members of the side a chance to rebuild, Ian Bailey was in no mood to do this slowly. He smashed his way to a magnificent 96. At no point was he ever in trouble and he will feel slightly aggrieved by the way he cheaply gave his wicket away! Lobbing a catch to deep mid on trying to bring up his first ton of the year in style.

At the other end Tony Hayes was playing a more patient innings and just fed bailey who was making light work of the Nutbrook attack. The pair put on 150 for the 2nd wicket in very quick time and when Hayes was dismissed Uttoxeter had a great chance to build a commanding 1st innings score.

With the pitch dying a little and a few balls not really bouncing as expected the frenetic pace slowed but the rest of the batsman all contributed, a solid looking 2o from Tim Powell and a steadying 8th wicket partnership between Pete Atwell and Captain Walmsley saw Uttoxeter through to 231 off the allotted 46. A very challenging score in a pitch which looked to have a few demons left in it.

The bowling got off to a great start, firstly with some very disciplined lines bowled by Skelham and Walmsley to build pressure. In the first 5 overs Nutbrook only managed 12 runs and it was this pressure that soon told.

Skelham got two quick breakthroughs and from there on the rest of the Nutbrook line up looked to be in real trouble. Walmsley followed Skelhams lead by taking 2 wickets in an over and also claiming a 3rd shortly after. Not to be outdone Skelham soon claimed his 3rd victim and seemed to have his old smile back and a tough few weeks,

Tim Powell had a top day in the field taking two catches but Tony Hayes Claimed the catch of the day leaping forward and scooping his bucket like hands under the ball just before it hit the deck.

But it was a real team effort with the ball all the bowlers chipping in with wickets and debutant Ash Young picking up his 1st wicket for the 1st XI.

Alan Bennett and Adam Cottier wrapped the game up each picking up a wicket to see Uttoxeter win by 117 runs with more than 13 overs to spare.
The result was a real confidence boost to the Uttoxeter team who were so narrowly defeated the previous week. The result now leaves them within touching distance of the promotion spots and with fellow high flyers Elvaston to visit the Racecourse next week it proves to be an exciting weekend.