Alfreton CC vs Alrewas CC (A) 24/04/21

by Tom Pawelski

The 1st team made the lengthy trip to Alrewas at the weekend looking to replicate the strong all round team performance that had earned the win in round one. Alrewas (A) is usually one of the toughest fixtures of the season and much of the pre-game team talk focussed on stamping our authority on the game early.

Woolley and New set off in exactly this fashion as they took to the middle. Alrewas, having chosen to field first, found themselves under pressure early with the Alfreton openers sharing a 100 run stand. Woolley departed as he looked to accelerate the innings further and whilst Alrewas may have been relieved to have gotten their break through it undoubtedly didn’t last long. The destructive Zaroob made the most of favourable batting conditions and he indiscriminately set about punishing Alrewas’ bowling attack. In amongst the chaos, a ludicrous lap shot for 6 stood out as shot of the day. Caught on the boundary for 82 off just 47 deliveries, he was aggrieved to have not reached triple figures for the first time in the 2021 season. M New and Bramwell continued to apply the pressure after T New departed for a well made 78. Having ticked up towards 300, the fireworks fizzled out as some tidy bowling from the returning opening seamer Frend and left arm off spinner Hodgkinson fought back with economical spells at the back end of the Alfreton innings. 301-7 seemed maybe 25-50 runs over par on what was proving to be a very flat wicket.

Alfreton took to the field under no illusions that the match was already won. Alrewas’ opening partnership had proved immovable in the past and so a good bowling and fielding performance was needed to ensure a win for the black and gold. J New and Bowles were tasked with finding early wickets but had to remain patient as Burton and Woolley for Alrewas looked characteristically assured at the crease. Bowles found the breakthrough with an excellent delivery as New applied economical pressure from the other end. When Aldis removed the second half of the opening partnership, Alfreton pressed home their advantage of scoreboard pressure. Alrewas’ middle order offered some resistance but Zaroob and M New turned the screw in reply. Regular wickets fell, mostly to the canny off spin of New (5-29) and Alfreton’s total soon became insurmountable for the Alrewas tail. Alfreton moving to 2-0 for the season, winning by a margin of 137. Thanks to all at Alrewas CC for being fantastic hosts as always.

Looking to solidify a strong start, the 1st team welcome Sawley to the Asha Oval next Saturday.