A thriller at The HSG Oval in Spondon as Alfreton pull off a huge upset.

Alfreton travelled to Spondon buoyed by their positive result last weekend, but they were weary of the ability of a seasoned premier league team. Things started smoothly after Simpson won the toss and chose to bat, with Woolley (26) and New (35) putting 58 on inside 14 overs, before the former was dismissed, caught low at point.

That bought Zaroob to the crease, who picked up where he left off last week with some lusty hitting. When New was run out by Ashdown, Alfreton we 92-2. Bramwell (15) put on 50 with Zaroob before being dismissed by Gorbert, caught at long on. This bought skipper, Simpson, to the crease. Zaroob fell for 82 from 67 balls with the score at 188 after 36 overs, Gorbert claiming another key wicket. Asim strode out to the crease, with the aim of accelerating the scoring rate, which he achieved with this 23 from 12. His cameo was brief, however, caught at deep square leg off the bowling of Ashdown. With a little over 9 overs left in the innings, Alfreton lost J New (3), Comins (1) and Rudkin (1) while Simpson battled hard at the other end. Bowles came out at 10, and after a couple of big hits in the final over- Alfreton finished 280-8. Simpsons 61* and Bowles 18* from 9 balls.

Alfreton came out in the second innings confident, looking for early wickets. Ashdown and Harrison looked to nullify the early ball, it wasn’t until the 13th over with the score at 55, that Alfreton claimed their first wicket. Harrison caught behind off the bowling of Zaroob. Mitchell fell soon after, caught behind again- except Bowles was the man to claim the wicket. Spondon 99-2 form 20 overs. That wicket bought Brear to the crease and Alfreton were aware that this partnership was key. Brear and Ashdown looked comfortable, boundaries were flowing, and Alfreton struggled to bowl with any sort of pressure- 280 looking closer and closer for this experienced Spondon side. Suddenly, Alfreton were presented with a gift- Brear run out for 30 by Asim while looking for a second run. Spondon’s middle order fell away, only Ashdown keeping them in with a chance for a remarkable run chase- when he bought up his 100 form 97 balls. The game was in the balance.

Watson (11), Edwards (1) and Allen (2) were all dismissed while Ashdown continued his one-man vigil at the other end. When Ashdown was eventually dismissed by J New for 149, Spondon required 38 from 4.4 overs. A few more boundaries from Spondon’s lower order got them requiring 12 from the final over. Bowles held his nerve and took wickets- Spondon finishing 1 run shy thanks to 6 off the last ball from Ellard. Bowles finished with 3-47 from his 8 overs. A special mention goes to Rudkin, who took 3 catches in the deep under pressure- moments which swung the game hugely.

Alfreton host a very strong Sandiacre next week at The Asha Oval, again hopeful of another upset.