1st Team The first eleven hosted reigning champions Hawk Green, who are departing the DCCL, on an overcast day in Dove. Hawk Green won the toss and elected to bat on another great track. Critchlow and Gregory opened the attack and kept things tight. Critchlow got Needham LBW and a mix up between opener Hampton and captain Unsworth saw the latter run out for just 15. At 32-2 Dove were looking well, however as Littler joined the opener at the crease the tide turned and a flurry of big shots and sharp running saw a partnership of 130 for the 3rd wicket. Dove managed to pick up frequent wickets once Hampson departed but some big hitting at the bottom of the order, including ‘shottt’ of the day by Hallas saw Hawk Green post a huge 290-9. Critchlow’s 5-89 were the stand out figured in an otherwise forgettable performance in the field. As the teams enjoyed Tea the storm clouds gathered over ladylow and a short shower saw the covers on. The innings started briefly before the clouds burst and saturated the square and outfield and the match became rain effected. Dove went back out having lost 8 overs and 290 was now well out of reach. Points were now the focus of home team’s effort. Jones and Cartledge departed early and at 16-2 Dove were struggling. However, as Gregory (40) joined Vernon at the crease they built yet another superb partnership of 104. Hawk Green spirits were dampened as a combination of patience, which HGCC will see more of next season, and strong hitting saw dove finish 150-4, a beautiful cover drive swipe over extra cover by Joe Gregory, parted the fielders hair Carter style bringing up the crucial 150 gaining the all important third batting point. Vernon carried his bat for a fantastic 78 not out. Seeing both teams take home 14 points, a very satisfying result for the home side against the Champions. As now accustomed after the game both teams & umpires enjoyed a post match Poretti at DHCC. Many positives for Dove to take forward into the 3 games played this week. We also have a wedding and a guaranteed few sore heads in hectic 4 days for the club! 2nd Team Dove travelled to the reigning champions missing a few of the regulars due to ex captain Kev Waterhouse having a stag do. But with strength in depth dove travelled hoping for a successful day. Dove lost the toss and were bowling. The fielding was going to have be good as the outfield was lightening quick today. Hawk Green started very positive and Justin Blackhurst looked like he was going to have a field day but lucky for Dove he was a little early on short delivery by Norton and missed the ball that gave Dove an important wicket. Hawk Green still looked strong with Moores and butler at the crease. But they were undone by some world class fielding by Rob Hawkes. Hawkes taking three excellent catches in the deep with the stand out one being a one handed grab from space! Keiren Collins bowled an excellent spell of spin bowling with bounce and spin causing problems and walked away with figures of 4-30 from his 12 overs. Jonty Norton kept his pressure bowling on at the other end and took figures of 4-49 from his 12 over spell. Just when it looked like Dove could have them out for less than 120 a young Luke Hall came to the crease and batted superbly for his team making 32 and building a crucial partnership with Niles that took Hawk Green to 160. Chris Poulton cleaned the innings up taking the last two weeks. 160 was a target Dove felt was achievable but at the same time knew Hall had perhaps made some crucial runs. Dove went out to bat and Hawkes and Jones started to work the bowlers around before jones got out. Suhan Shetty who returned to the line up batted well for a good 29, looking comfortable with his feet movement to the spinner. Hawkes again got himself in and then got himself out for 33. At 86-3 it was game on and captain Johnson came to the crease and continued his shocking form at Hawk Greens ground by going for a duck. It didn’t get much better for Dove with Wayne Collins, Jonty Norton and Callum Burns doing the same as the skip, quack, quack, quack. The only resistance came from young Reece Johnson who was the last wicket to fall for 18 with some nice shots. Fenterham 4-17 was the pick of the bowlers with a good spell that ripped through the middle order and George Ridings bowled some decent spin to chip in with 3-42. Dove finally being all out 119. A disappointing day for Dove, a middle order collapse after some good work in the field makes it even worse to take. But no time to dwell as Newton next week will be even more important now. Juniors The Under 15s hosted Compstall and Batting first the visitors posted 79-6. Dove were excellent in the field and caught all their catches. The fielding was to be the difference as Compstall failed to take their chances Dove knocked off the Runs with 4 overs to Spare Collins & Johnson retiring on 30+ scores
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