STAFFORCE SOUTH YORKSHIRE LEAGUE
WEEKLY CRICKET REPORT
JUNE 27TH 2009

Premier Division

Treeton 143 Whitley Hall 93

Treeton stand at the halfway point of the season with 11 wins in the 11 matches played and with none of their opponents looking capable of either beating or catching them.  The opposition at Washfield Lane were Whitley Hall who have finished the past 14 seasons in the top half of the Premier Division, but at the end of the contest were comprehensively beaten. They did look at one stage as though they threatened to upset the leaders but as with others opponents, Treeton’s increased strength in depth shone through and the challenge faltered and died once again. The crisis came when Treeton were 39 for 5 but at this point the diminutive stumper Paul Fenn was joined by Stuart Guy, who was on Yorkshire’s book last season, and these 2 transformed events. Stuart smashed 10 fours in his 55, obtained in just 59 balls. Guy was the last man to depart and the score had reached a respectable 143 all out. Paul Fenn had contributed 22 and opener Andy Tomlinson 24. Donovan Koch took 3 for 42 and Ben Webster 3 for 12.

Despite an early loss Whitley’s response was in good shape at 73 for 3, but the demise of their leading scorer, Steve Bethel at this point for 18 heralded the inevitable collapse and Whitley were unceremoniously shot out for 93. Gary Montgomery (3 for 24), Steve Foster (3 for 36) and Ben Ashdown (3 for 13) are proving an irresistible combination and with the impending return of Aussie Marc Carson most Premier batsmen do not relish any approaching fixture.