“Thall not beat Dove”

This slightly amusing anecdote, apparently quoted by a Dove Holes stalwart of yesteryear, came true for the 1^st team at the weekend, with a tame defeat surrended from a position of strength.

Choosing to field first on a green looking wicket, Old Glossop started the game well with openers Andy King and Rob Adderley restricting the runs and beating the edge on numerous occasions.

After 10 overs, Dove Holes were 20 for 0 and finding the pace and seam attack difficult to contend with.

Rob then picked up a wicket, having the opener caught behind off his glove.

More tight bowling followed, with the odd loose delivery usually ending up at the boundary given the fast outfield (reminiscent of Sabina Park with it’s burnt yellow grass texture), and Dove were struggling.

Rob Jones (58) batted in his own style and frustrated the OG bowlers in the process to allow Dove to feel that they were able to achieve a respectable total.

At the halfway stage Dove were around 50 for 1.

Lenny Allsopp came on to replace Rob and was unlucky not to take a wicket in his 11 over spell (0 for 33). Declan Hall was apparently fancied by the Dove batsmen as his 4 overs went for 26, albeit that he claimed a wicket and was unlucky not to register more with several Dove shots just evading the field.

Andy James had one over which Dave Cartledge seized upon and Dove were now looking healthier at 120 for 3 with 15 overs left.

Turning back to the opening pair of King and Adderley the runs again were slowed down with Rob bowling a tight line and King continuing to beat the edge time and again.

Eventually, the Dove bastmen succumbed and 5 wickets were claimed by King to leave Dove 185 for 8 off their overs.

This sort of run chase should have proved no problem for OG and this was how it seemed when Donnelly and Eyre opened the innings.

Both contributed 26 before Donnelly chopped one onto his own stumps having looked well set, and not long after launching a monster six off the Dove attack.

Eyre consolidated and with Andy James moved the total on nicely.

The call of a quick single from James caused a mix up which resulted in Eyre being run out and this appeared to change the game. White and McGrail both appeared in control until McGrail (21) was out caught to leave OG in a spot of bother. Dec (23) looked in control until he was unlucky to be out bowled, the ball looping off his bat onto the stumps.

When White (11) was out OG still had the overs to score the necessary runs, but at 120 for 6, didn’t have much left in the shed.

Steve James continued his return to form with 23, but after that there was not much resistance.

Andy King had an off day with the bat before being stumped and with Danno and Rob getting ducks, Lenny Allsopp was left kicking his heels, and anything else which got in his way, as OG inexplicably lost a game they had total control of.