PCA Masters v Shireshead & Forton CC
August 16th 2009
The PCA Masters XI, sponsored by Owzat Cricket, made the long trek north to the lovely village ground of Shireshead & Forton Cricket Club to play a 40 over game as the highlight of the Lancashire club's 100th Anniversary celebrations. The Masters skipper Paul Prichard won the toss and decided to bat first on a wicket that proved to be low and slow.
In a dramatic start, former Yorkshire player Ashley Metcalfe was bowled first ball of the match by Paul Savage. Glamorgan's Matthew Wood and Dominic Ostler also both fell cheaply to leave the pros struggling on 25 for three; former internationals Phil DeFreitas and Stuart Law then applied their experience to the situation and built a stand of 44 in quick time but also fell when looking set to enthusiastic bowling. The innings was then stabilised by a quick-fire stand of 87 between James Middlebrook (34) and Carl Crowe (88) and when the last wicket fell in the 40th over, they had amassed a total of 230. Crowe's innings particularly caught the eye as it came from only 72 balls and included 3 sixes and 10 fours.
The club side made a steady start to their innings but a couple of wickets from DeFreitas, including a lightening legside stumping by Ish Dawood, slowed their progress; however, Shireshead youngster Rob Jacques then played the innings of the day with a measured 62 from 71 balls. Wickets fell regularly at the other end h and the home side were eventually bowled out in the 37th over for 149, giving the Masters victory by 81 runs. The outstanding bowling returns were provided by Essex's James Middlebrook (3-16), Darren Cousins (2-21) and Phil DeFreitas (2-15).
The PCA Masters would like to thank Shireshead & Forton Cricket Club for inviting them to participate in their centenary celebrations in this game, which was superbly organised at their incredibly picturesque ground. The hospitality was outstanding and the game played in a terrific spirit that reflected very well on the club.
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