Division Nine Weston 142-6 (53) Greenwood Park 143-5 (45.5) GREENWOOD Park travelled north to rural Weston hoping the August weather would at last allow a complete game. The disappointment of losing the toss to Weston was nullified by their choice

Division Nine

Weston 142-6 (53) Greenwood Park 143-5 (45.5)

GREENWOOD Park travelled north to rural Weston hoping the August weather would at last allow a complete game.

The disappointment of losing the toss to Weston was nullified by their choice to bat first. Parks opening bowlers Ryan Atkins (2-41) and Joe Cole would immediately cause problems. Weston could not find a way to master Cole's inswinging deliveries, and his age limited seven over spell conceded just four runs.

Weston were struggling to score and when Park turned to the spin of Dan Gloudemans and Karim Mahbubul, a third wicket soon fell to Mahbubul's deceptive flight and spin.

Weston managed a moderate consolidation pushing the score past 60 without further loss, and Park introduced the teasing bowling of Sam T. Nash. The plan worked as Park made an important breakthrough when Nash hit the stumps, and two further wickets for Mahbubul (3 for 55) saw Weston struggling to reach 100 with just 10 overs remaining.

The next pair survived to unleash an aggressive onslaught of 38 runs from the final four overs taking their total to 142-6 from the allotted 53 overs.

Park openers Mel Baker and Roland James started well with Baker finding the boundary regularly and with competent support from James, the half century partnership arrived in just 14 overs.

The couple continued to score freely until James (29) dragged a wide delivery onto his stumps at 73. The arrival of new bat, Kyle Gloudemans, and the introduction of more accurate bowling by Weston combined to slow the run rate dramatically. Baker (45) was dismissed trying to force the scoring at 95 and despite a brief flamboyant innings from Neil Benson (14) Park suddenly needed more than three-an-over.

Sam T. Nash's arrival at the crease led to a succession of sharp but successful quick singles, and he continued this tactic after Gloudemans was caught and bowled at 133.

Park eventually passed the winning line with just 1.1 overs to spare on 143-5. The 30 points earned now provide a small comfort zone above the relegation battle despite lying third from bottom in Division Nine. The first of the three remaining fixtures sees Park entertain table topping Langleybury at Greenwood Park next Saturday.