Both Norton-in-Hales’ senior teams lost on Saturday, although there were very different stories to tell about the games.
Norton 1st XI set a useful target against Stanfields, declaring on 202- 6 after 54 overs.
The early order, headed by Simon Ellwell (37) and Dan Wood (20), gave the innings a solid foundation before a quick-fire 63 not out by Neil Bloor set up the declaration.
Once more, Norton’s bowling was a little ragged, allowing their opponents to make a good start. At 160-4 Stanfields looked favourites to win but rain forced the teams off the field.
With a possible nine overs left, the two captains agreed to continue and, in thick drizzle, a frenetic finish ensued.
Stanfields scraped home with eight wickets down and Norton picked up nine useful points for their efforts.
The second string’s story is a sorry one. All season the they’ve struggled to find enough adults to commit themselves to playing on a weekly basis.
Things came to a head on Saturday as the majority of adults who sometimes play could not make it.
This not only left the team short of numbers (not a rare occurrence) but also short of transport – the remaining youngsters didn’t have a car between them.
Luckily, a member of the first team drove half of the second team to Stoke to fulfil the fixture then came back to play at Norton.
Fine avoided, they were bowled out for 40 runs in a comprehensive defeat.
How long the seconds can continue to run in these circumstances is anyone’s guess but, with fewer and fewer adults willing to help, the future looks bleak.
This would be a shame for the juniors who, after winning three Under-13 games on the trot, lost to a strong Nantwich side.
Two Cheshire bowlers proved too fast for them as they crashed to 15-5.
They were only saved by an excellent knock of 60 from Callum Claydon who, assisted by the lower order, got the score to 102 all out.
A special mention is due to eight-year-old Eddie Warrington, who batted 12 overs helping Callum add runs.
Callum and Eddie took the two wickets Nantwich lost on the way to reaching their winning total.
