First XI roll over Alvanley

The first XI hosted Alvanley CC on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Brooklands Sports Centre, looking to build on the positive win the previous weekend.

Alvanley captain Andy Bennion won the toss and elected to bat first. Tom Mitchell, making the step up from the second XI opened the bowling with captain AJ Hart and it wasn’t long before he was amongst the wickets, removing both openers with barely 20 on the scoreboard.

J Whitley (21) and Chris Charles (40) were the only players from the away side to put up any sort of resistance with wickets falling regularly.

Mitchell would go on to pick up 2 more wickets in another impressive performance finishing on 4-37 off 12. Skipper AJ Hart, not wanting to be outdone, provided solid backup to Mitchell eventually finishing on 3-40 off 15. Christian Potter picked up 2 of the tail in his 2-22 off 4.4 with Mark Law picking up 1-17 off 7 leaving the home side with a target of 118.

Despite losing David Madden early on in the run chase, overseas player Kevin Carroll continued his good early form chipping in 26 off of 27 before he was caught off the bowling of Rowlands (3-18 off 9) .

Carroll’s partnership with Christian Hart (32) put the hosts in a commanding position, however, after they were both dismissed, Alvanley picked up some steam and quickly skittled the next three Brooklands batsman for small change.

It was up to skipper AJ Hart (33*), along with Christian Hart and later Mark Law (10*) to see the home side over the line within 37 overs.

Currently sitting in 3rd place in CCCL 1st XI Division 2, the first XI travel to Didsbury on Thursday to commence their Joseph Holt T20 campaign.