Milnrow beaten by Radcliffe

Milnrow Cricket Club

Milnrow were beaten by 64 runs in their game at Radcliffe CC on Saturday. Milnrow bowled Radcliffe out for 176 but were not able to capitalise on this and were bowled out themselves for 112. This was a disappointing result following last week's successful chase at Werneth.

Milnrow lost the toss and bowled first and struggled to make inroads into the Radcliffe batting. Price took the first wicket in the ninth over but the next wicket did not fall until the 20th over. The Milnrow attack did well to restrain the scoring with Radcliffe reaching 100 in the 28th over, but then Wilkinson, Price and Jack Wynn started to take regular wickets and from 105 for 2, Radcliffe collapsed to 176 all out. Wilkinson finished as the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 48. Price finished with 3 for 54 and Wynn finished with 2 for 27.

Jack Wynn's performance was the shining light on a disappointing day for Milnrow, in that he was the latest player from Milnrow's youth section to get a taste of first team action. He bowled well to take two top order wickets and took a good catch. Wynn, who also plays for Lancashire's under 14s, is one of Milnrow's most promising youngsters and will learn from this experience.

When Milnrow went into bat, they did not get the good start that was needed. Crabtree was bowled with the score on five and when professional James Price fell with the score on 34, it was clear that captain Max Power would again have to lead a rearguard action. In his usual resilient way he moved his score to 20 and stabilised the Milnrow innings, with suppport from Wilkinson and Wilson. With the score on 96, however, he was given out LBW, a decision that was questionable. From this point on, Milnrow's resistance crumbled and they were all out for 112. Radcliffe pro, Raheel Majeed, former Milnrow professional, finished with figures of 4 for 8 from 7 overs. Milnrow's search for consistency continues.

On a more positive note, Milnrow's second team won its fifth game in a row. It was also the fifth consecutive game that they have bowled the opposition out. The highlight was 102 not out from John Lowe, who struck a six off the last ball of the innings to go to his century. Milnrow's score of 243 proved way beyond Radcliffe and they were bowled out for 133, with Charlie Lloyd Jones and Matthew Owen taking four wickets each, Owen narrowly missing out on a hat trick.