Timperley still winless

3:20pm Monday 12th May 2008

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Oxton 144-0

Timperley 143TIMPERLEY made it four games without a win on Saturday, with a 10-wicket defeat away at Oxton.

They batted first on a good looking pitch, however it was the top order who again failed to produce with only Mark Leathley (50) managing double figures.

A spirited display from Adam Horan (27*) and Jamie Dickenson (20) was enough to see Timperley to 143 all out from 52 overs.

The Oxton reply was nothing if not ruthless.

The opening pair of Stokes and Davies put on a fine display of batting, and both reached their 50 before the winning runs were struck with more than 10 overs to spare.

Timperley toiled on a hot day and were left to rue their own shortcomings in the batting department, while two dropped catches along the way did nothing to aid their cause.

They left the Wirral knowing they must improve if they are going to compete in the Cheshire County League Division One.

Meanwhile, Timperley seconds welcomed Oulton Park on Saturday and registered their first win of the season.

Having won the toss, Timperley elected to field, with Oulton Park scoring 181-8 off 50 overs. Responding with 182-3 off 42 overs, Timperley won by seven wickets in a solid display.

Jason Coad made his debut as Timperley seconds captain on a hot, humid day and inserted Oulton Park on a wicket which appeared to be fair to both sides.

Jim McCall had success in his first over with a wicket, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Higgs, and claimed another wicket shortly afterwards.

Oulton Park rebuilt their innings with a stand of 80 but the introduction of promising youngster Nathan Brown, along with McCall and some excellent out fielding, kept the run rate reasonably low.

Eventually, Brown secured the breakthrough via an excellent catch by Paul Rowley. Brown continued to bowl well, taking 3-78 off 18 overs including the prize wicket of M Johnson (75).

At the other end, McCall, having bowled 16 tight overs, was replaced by Dave Cain who put the ball on the spot from ball one.

Among the Oulton Park batsmen was former Timperley seconds skipper Matt Freedman who hit a quick 21 not out.

McCall finished the innings off with two wickets in the final over, 4-38 off 17 overs.

It was a satisfactory first half for Timperley, with good bowling and excellent fielding, restricting Oulton Park to 181-8, who would have hoped for a further 40 runs.

After tea, an excellent opening partnership between Martin Ward and Martin Porthouse - at one stage flying at seven an over - delivered a stand of 61, Porthouse departing after a confident 26.

This brought Coad to the wicket, who scored only seven, though he later added that he would settle for seven every week if Timperley won.

Ward carried on, building a fine innings of 59 in partnership with Rowley who played an anchor role. Rowley (22 no) and the incoming Danny Higgin, secured the victory via a partnership of 53. Higgin scored a hard hitting 43 not out.