Tonight, Glossop Vets welcomed Broadbottom Veterans to North Road and hoped to continue their strong start to the season. Glossop lost the toss and were put into bat but were hoping to post a big score as weather and pitch conditions were favourable. 

From ball 1 Glossop were on the front foot with Lewis Calvert and Steve Marsh setting the tone, attacking the Broadbottom bowling with some exquisite stroke play and strong running between the wickets. A partnership of 49 in quick time gave Glossop the platform they desired to punish Broadbottom. Both openers retired on 25 bringing Alex Carroll to the crease who continued his fine form with the bat and smashed a quick fire 15, backed up by Sam Alder who played well for 9 with 2 superb boundary shots to keep the runs flowing. Tim Halpin was in at 6 and started well helping to take Glossop over the 100 mark in the 13th over. Due to the fantastic start, the Lower middle order could let their hands go and the runs came thick and fast with Tim retiring on 27, Colin Taylor getting 21 and Paul Edgar hitting 25 off just 14 balls. A little cameo from Jay Allen and Steve Kirkham at the end of the innings meant Glossop could post 179, their highest total of the season. 

Broadbottom came out to start their chase, but Glossop went on the attack with some attacking fielding positions but needed some strong opening bowling to complement the field placings. Tim Halpin and Rick Ingham opened up and caused all sort of problems, only conceding 9 runs off the opening 4 overs, but it was Rick Ingham again, who made the breakthrough with a superb delivery that was knocked up to short mid-on and taken by Halpin. Ingham really is cementing his spot as Glossop’s opening bowler. Alder, Kirkham, Marsden and Allen bowled the next 8 overs and although wickets were tough to come by, all bowlers caused lots of issues and caused panic in Broadbottoms middle order forcing them to take some risky singles. Glossop’s fielding was sharp, a direct hit from Taylor and some excellent fielding from Steve Kirkham and Lewis Calvert resulted in 3 run outs, the last assisted by Steve Marsh who was deputising behind the stumps, 1 of many good things the Glossop wicket keeper did throughout the game. Broadbottom had been broken and were well behind the run rate, Glossops bowlers were still tight at the end and Alex Carroll finished off his excellent evening with a wicket, caught at mid wicket and Glossop tasted victory again. Broadbottom finished on 85 for 5….a 94 run victory for Glossop Vets. 

Man of the Match - Steve Marsh. Superb batting at the top of the order, setting the tone and platform for Glossop to post a large score, and also solid behind the stumps. 

This felt like the fixture where Glossop really got hold of the attacking cricket they want to play and if they continue with this positivity and attack mindedness, I'm not sure many teams will be able to cope with them.