1st XI
Matches
Sat 28 May 2022  ·  Division 1
Linton Park CC - 1st XI
186
196/4
Outwood Cricket Club
1st XI
Outwood conquer the Castle

Outwood conquer the Castle

Matthew Norman31 May 2022 - 10:41
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1's go top of the table

By Louis Russell-Watts

After winning the first 3 games of the season the Wood travelled to Linton Park to face the only other team with a 100% start. Turning off the B2163 and up the narrow passageway to the ground we were reminded of why this is known as the Linton Castle Fortress around the KCVL. A good-looking pitch and a quick outfield gave Matty a tough decision at the toss, eventually electing to bat first.
Linton bowled well, keeping things tight, but the Outwood top order battled hard, putting away any bad balls on offer. When Ash fell after 23 overs and the score at 86-2 Outwood were set up nicely to press on through the final 15 overs.
Laney worked through the gears, supported by Louis, smashing Fours and putting pressure on the Linton fielders. Pulling more than Harry Crawford on a Saturday night, Laney smashed 2 Fours through mid-wicket to reach his ton, eventually being caught on the boundary for a magnificent 106 at quicker than a run a ball. Matt Norman was promoted up the order and it proved a wise decision with a quick-fire golden duck being vital in helping Outwood reach a final total of 196/4 off the 40 overs.

In reply, Linton’s captain and league top run scorer came out all guns blazing taking the score to 30-0 after just 3 overs. Some tight bowling from Dru and Blease brought the run rate back down but at 71-0 Linton were well on top of the game. The skipper turned to himself and a beautifully disguised (although the batsman later claimed he picked it) slower ball left Thirkell plum in front and forced to be on the receiving end of a now trademark Matty Norman send off just 2 short of 50. Tobey Castle, known for his stoicism with the bat, came out at number 3 but wasn’t there long with a Matty Norman yorker meaning he lived up to his name as he was castled for a golden duck, the score now 71-2.
Linton regrouped well through the middle overs and found themselves 150-4, needing just 47 to win from 12 overs. Matt decided it was time to return to the attack and proceeded to rip through the Linton batting line up taking 5 more wickets including an excellent catch from Ashley which saw the number 4 bat dismissed for a gritty 43. Linton were left at 170-9 and Matt with figures of 7/26 from his 9.
The game was not won however and the 10 and 11 nurdled another 16 runs and with 12 to win off the final over it was anyone’s game. Bowling the final over Matt Talbot kept a cool head, completing a very economical spell of bowling by taking the final wicket to win Outwood the game.

Another high-quality team performance from Outwood with the MOM bucket hat finally signed by the one and only Loney. Special mention to Matt who now has 15 wickets at a respectable average of 4.40 this season.

Match details

Match date

Sat 28 May 2022

Kickoff

13:00

Competition

Division 1
Team overview
Further reading