Saturday 12th June saw Condover 2nds host Corvedale CC in a Division 7 of the Shropshire cricket league game.
On a high from their victory the previous week the Condover team assembled on a glorious sunny day knowing that the challenge ahead of them was great however with a sense of optimism that if they fielded and bowled as well as they had previously they could beat the more experienced Corvedale team.
After winning the toss the Condover captain made the calculated risk to bowl first and the early bowling by Thomas Hughes and Anthony Smith was tight against two strong and stylish opening batsmen. Matt Brooks continued his fine bowling until an injury brought his spell to a holt.
Leon Kosciuczyk was thrown the ball and the wily slow bowler didn’t take long get the first wicket which was later followed up with wickets by Richard Gilbert, Graeme Hughes and Anthony Smith.
Special mention needs to go to Jon Mansell Snr who had the unenviable task of keeping wickets to a number of new bowlers he had not played with before and with only 1 bye conceded in 40 overs was a class performance.
Corvedale finished their innings with 3-231
The Condover reply started steady with Boom Boom Gilbert joining Andrew Brooks at the crease after the fall of an early wicket. Mr Gilbert tried to replicate his stand and deliver style of the previous week however with quality swing bowling by the Corvedale opening bowlers he was soon back in the hutch.
Graeme Hughes joined Andrew Brooks and tried to steady ship whilst continuing to keep the run rate high. Wickets started to fall at regular intervals and once Hughes was bowled for 69 the reply soon came to end with Condover all out for 168.
Although the Condover team were outplayed today every player who turned out can hold their heads high as they put in 100% and never gave up. There were many signs of a great team developing and things are looking bright for stronger performances in future games.
