Match Report – Market Drayton v Condover 1st XI
Condover 1st XI WON by 1 wicket
Our 1st XI ensured a winning start to the 2021 season for the club in a nail biting and entertaining game away to Market Drayton. It was a day that also saw the debuts of Graeme and Tom Hughes, Tom Geary, Tony Preston, Alexis Newman, Josh Leese and Graham Geary who kindly offered to officiate as our own umpire. Welcome to the club lads!
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Condover made a good start as Will Davis (2-21) picked up key early wickets. However it was the two debutants Josh Leece (3-27) and Alexis Newman (4-31) who claimed the most success with the ball, with Alexis picking up his debut wicket with his first ball. Some tidy death bowling from the Hughes’s meant that Drayton were restricted to 141-9 from their 40 overs.
In reply, Condover’s two senior captains Mike and Charlie Rogers (16 & 23) saw off the new ball before both fell in quick succession. It was then left to the middle order to continue the chase as Alexis (49) held the innings together. He was assisted in a 5th wicket partnership worth 50 runs by Tony Preston. Tony smashed 32 and put the pressure right back onto the hosts. Alexis batted beautifully before skying one straight up in the air and falling frustratingly short of a deserved debut half century. With 7 runs required and only 1 wicket left, it was the Hughes family double act who managed to see us home in the 38th over.
A great way to start the season, this weekend is the first home game of the season where we will face Hodnet & Peplow.
