Season 4 – Game 3 - Glossop Vets vs Mottram

On a beautiful May evening, Glossop Vets welcomed Mottram to the fortress that is North Road knowing this would be the toughest test of their season so far. The wicket looked like it might break up as the game went on but Glossop won the toss and choose to bowl. 

Jay Allen and Mark Littlewood opened up the bowling. Allen was steady as usually and Littlewood showed signs he’s getting back to his best after over 20 years out the game.

Edgar and Ingham bowled overs 4-8 and both kept it tight. Edgar created the first chance of the innings whilst getting hit high towards the boundary. Mitchell tried to make up the ground but was possibly hampered by his tight hamstring and couldn’t quite take the catch – as a result there will be an inquest into who did Mitchells late fitness test.

Jamie Kay and Sam Alder are cementing themselves as Glossop’s 3rd bowling pair. Both bowling variations of left arm spin, both causing issues with the opposition. It was Kay who struck first though in his first over, causing all sorts of trouble with Mottram’s number 3 not reading the flight, getting a thick edge and caught by Taylor at Mid-Wicket. Alder was next to strike, a lovely, flighted ball on 4th stump, knocked high to mid-off where Calvert took the catch. Mottram were wobbling.

Ted Mitchell went through the pain barrier and bowled the next set with Leigh McGlynn.  Mitchell got rewarded for good line and length, picking up the next wicket when the batsman flicked one off his pads and was caught by Littlewood at deep leg slip. McGlynn, not to be outdone bowled with pace and his moment came with a fuller length delivery which was edged and taken by Wilde behind the stumps. The vets all celebrated but there appeared to by a mysterious groan around the ground as their future grandchildren all realised they’ll be listening to this story around the Christmas tree for years to come. 

Lewis Calvert and Colin Taylor bowled the last 4. Mottram were starting to hit out and knocked 1 to the boundary and set off for a quick 2. Edgar stopped the boundary and fired the ball into Wilde who took the bails off. Mottram were 5 down. Taylor then took a wicket, a slower straight delivery which hit the stumps and Mottram finished on 120 for 6.

Glossop were excellent in the field. Special mentions go to Ingham and Alder who both made good stops in the deep to keep the runs down and keep the pressure on.

Glossop needed 6 runs an over to win and went about things a little differently. The wicket was starting to break up abit but instead of full-blown attack, it was more measured, more refined. Cozball is not dead but this is a sign this Glossop team is brimming with confidence and can win in a number of different ways.

Saying that, Ingham opened up with Edgar and found going tough and got a peach of a delivery in the first over, which took out his middle stump. Calvert came to the crease and started manoeuvring the ball around and with Edgar, got the scoreboard moving. Edgar was just looking like he was going on the attack when he took on a wider delivery and played onto his stumps for 7. He was not happy!! Glossop were 21-2. Wilde came to the crease and nudged a few early singles, but it was Calvert who pressed on with some lovely boundary hitting, waiting for the bad balls and punishing them. As Calvert was approaching retirement he got a bit bogged down and holed out for 22, bringing Taylor to the crease. Glossop were 40-3 in the 7th over, and although only just behind the run rate, were conscious any more quick wickets could cause some issues.

Fortunately, Wilde and Taylor took control of the middle overs and started stretching Mottram’s field. Boundaries followed and Glossop were getting above the run rate. Wilde was first to retire on 26* (4 4s) and then Taylor with 29*, finishing with a lovely 6 over deep mid-wicket. The pair had put on over 50 together and had taken Glossop to 100 for 3.

Littlewood and Allen had the honour of finishing it off, Littlewood looking classy and Allen showcasing his new skills in front of his mentor, Anuk, with a crashing 4 over mid-off to claim the victory with 2 overs to spare, both finishing on 11 not out.

Glossop batted sensibly to get the job done but there were still signs this team can attack if needed.

Man of the Match - Andy Wilde

Great performance with the bat coming in at number 4 and firming things up in the middle overs. Also, great catch behind the stumps and a run out capped a top evening’s work for Glossop’s Wicketkeeper.