The toss was always going to be crucial on Saturday as the thermometer recorded temperatures of 80 degrees, and the track was looking likely to produce runs.
When the Mellor skipper called incorrectly, Andy King didn’t hesitate in choosing to bat first (what football?), and the Mellor players started their long day in the sun.
In truth, the Old Glossop innings started slowly, with only around 10 runs coming from the first 7 overs, but when Paul Eyre started to open his shoulders, the ball started to disappear quickly to all parts of the ground.
Dave Donnelly, not to be outdone, started scoring in tandem with Eyre, and the pair put on 70 for the first wicket until Donnelly was caught in the slips for 30.
Andy James was quickly stumped for a duck, and Andy King hit two boundaries but then tamely chipped one back to the bowler to leave Old Glossop 101 for 3.
George White (25), now batting at 5, looked impressive against any full deliveries, and Paul Eyre by now was taking a liking to everything served up by Mellor. He looked well set until he decided to shimmy (yes shimmy!) down the wicket and was stumped for a brutal 65. This brought Martin McGrail to the crease, and little did he know at the time, but the batting gods were looking down on him!
A rapid 82 ensued with McGrail showing exactly what he can do with a bat. He rode his luck a little and it wasn’t a chanceless innings but never the less it was what the doctor ordered, and he was unfortunate not to go on to record his maiden ton.
Declan Hall offered a late cameo with 28 before becoming the third stumping victim of the Old Glossop innings. Lenny Allsopp and Steve James wrapped up the innings with 8 not out apiece to produce a total of 274 for 7 in the 45 overs.
Confident at tea, the Old Glossop dressing room were hopeful of an early finish and maximum points, but Mellor took the “nothing to lose” attitude, and got off to a flying start.
The first 3 bowlers for Old Glossop took the brunt of Mellor’s attitude with Andy King (1 for 28), Craig Cooper (0 for 22), and Lenny Allsopp (0 for 32) going for 80 in the first 10 overs.
A bowling change, to spin, changed the game for Old Glossop with the Mellor batsmen still chancing their arm, Paul Eyre helped himself to 8 wickets for 33 runs to round off a memorable personal display.
22 points for Old Glossop, who now find themselves top of the league. Lets try and stay there lads! That’s the challenge.