TROUNCING BY THE TRENT

By Andy Richley, Market Rasen

2010 got off to the worst possible start for Market Rasen Town Cricket Club’s 2nd XI as they were marmalised by Morton, losing by a whopping 219 runs. With the football season still in full swing, a young and inexperienced Rasen side – with only 10 men – took to the Roses Ground on an unseasonably balmy Saturday afternoon. Morton won the toss and, having taken one look at the clear, blue skies, chose to bat. Rasen made the best possible start with Tom Corden castling Matt Gleadall in the fifth over to reduce Morton to 12 for 1. Unfortunately this was as good as it got for the visitors. Morton’s skipper, Gordon Moden, anounced his arrival with a straight-drive for four to his first ball and, from that point on, the Morton batsmen didn’t stop playing their shots.
Morton’s second-wicket put on 69 in ten overs before Morden played over a straight ball from Andy Richley to give Rasen a glimmer of hope at drinks. However, S. Turner, helped by J. Cooper, looked to extinguish this completely as the pair set about the bowling with gusto. Only George Fussey’s variations of flight and spin were able to offer Rasen’s skipper any kind of control, as the bowling was flogged to all corners by the men from Morton, with their third wicket pair putting on 91 in 17 overs. Both Turner and Cooper played positive, aggressive innings, with Turner’s straight-driving being particularly accomplished and both players keenly punishing anything not on a good line and length.
The return of Purkiss and Corden saw a brief flurry of wickets as Turner’s fine innings was cut short on 98 and Blagg and Bethell following in quick succession. However, Cooper (63*) found a willing accomplice in S. Cobb (38*), who excuted a couple of very fine late cuts. Whilst Rasen’s effort in the field was unstinting, the visitors would only attempt to limit the damage at this point, which was achieved to some extent, as Morton closed on 260 for 5 from the 45 overs.
With a big total to chase down and a long tail, Rasen’s opening pair crumbled, with both back in the hutch within the first 10 minutes of their reply. Their cheap dismissals set the tone for the rest of the lineup with Morton bundling Rasen out for, a mercifully brief, 41. Of the Rasen batsmen George Fussey and Tom Corden (14*) both showcased the fine technique that will stand them in good stead as the season progresses and Jonny Purkiss eschewed some lusty blows, but the poor start, compounded with the pressure of the scoreboard, did for the young lineup. The Morton bowlers whose averages benefited from the display were; D. Holland (3 for 13), C. Leonard (3 for 10), J. Cooper (2 for 10) and Levi Hoggard (1 for 8). Hoggard, an U14 age-group player, was playing his first Lincs League match and showed an ability to both flight and turn a ball that is rare in leg-spinners of his age and he looks set for a promising debut season in senior cricket.
What should, hopefully, be a stronger Rasen side travel to North Hykeham 2nds next week, where they’ll be looking to erase the memories of this trouncing by the Trent.