This weekend saw a downbeat Woodhouse side play host to Chesterfield’s Whittington Wanderers CC. The weather was against them from the offset, but The Timber Men remained optimistic that a positive result could be achieved against one of the league’s lowest ranking side.

 Losing yet another toss, Captain C. Smith and his men were asked to put on the pads and battle both the ball and the inclement elements. Things started steadily, with the run-rate and over count in perfect synchronicity, before S. Walker was bowled on three by opener S. Brocklehurst.

 This brought Wicketkeeper Batsman J. Hewitt to the crease, who quickly scored a four (not an easy feat in the conditions). Unfortunately, this was where the danger man’s innings ended as he fell to a ball that never got up.

 If ever there were a time for resistance, this was it. In what proved to be a wise decision, the Woodhouse skipper sent ultra defensive A. Watts to the crease and proceedings began to take on a more solid appearance.

 Coupled with the scoring ability of number five L. Smith, the pair went on to make an invaluable fifty plus partnership. L. Smith in fact went on to be Woodhouse’s top scorer on the day with forty runs to his name.

 The best bowling for the visitors came in the form of spinner R. Barfoot as he finished the day with figures of three wickets for ten runs conceded (one maiden).

 Unfortunately for the home team, the tail failed to wag and the Woodhouse innings was all over for a total of ninety runs. This however was seen to be a challenging total considering few balls had gone to the boundary, the worsening weather and their opponent’s poor form to date.

 To sum up the visitor’s innings, only one batsman made double figures and the pressure was maintained by the Woodhouse attack throughout. A slight scare ensued when number three C. Mellor strode to the crease and struck four followed by six, but first change C. Smith punished the batsman’s, ‘lack of respect for the bowling’.

 The best bowling for Woodhouse came from opener R. Burgin as he finished the day with a five-for and only nineteen runs conceded (three maidens).

 All in all, this result proved to be a much-needed win, but also an enjoyable experience. Both sides played – what proved to be – a difficult encounter, in the spirit of the game and everyone went home in a good mood.

 Woodhouse’s next fixture sees them venture into the realms of Derbyshire for their league match against table-topping Baslow. Here’s hoping the weather improves before then!