Torrisholme come up short against Thornton

Torrisholme's Graham Lee celebrates his wicket. Picture: Tony North

Losing the toss Rob Dingle asked Torrisholme to bowl and it was Dingle (17) who opened the batting with Joe Eade (2), Matt Jackson (0-35) and Graham Lee (3-36) bowling for Torrisholme.

Lee found the breakthrough having Eade well caught by James Ferguson.

Joe Bell (44) joined his skipper, but Lee took the wicket of Dingle who was caught by Andy Butler and young Josh Sackfield (6) was expertly caught in close by Jackson to make it 53-3 from the first 20 overs.

The experienced Dan Howard (75) and Jordan Beech (38) accelerated the scoring while Joe Gibbins (1-58) and Jack Heap (1-13) couldn’t stop the onslaught with Thornton timing their innings perfectly, scoring at nearly nine runs an over for the last 10 overs.

Torrisholme’s consolation came in the form of Adam Bee (2-21) who was helped by some smart catching by debutant Darren Moore, Torrisholme claiming two valuable bonus points with Thornton finishing on 196-8.

Torrisholme’s response started with Andy Butler (5) and Darren Moore (15) and a watchful start saw the score at 28-1 when Butler fell to Howard (3-55).

The returning Chris Parry (56) joined Moore and was straight into his stride whipping the ball to the boundary whenever Howard strayed into his pads.

A change of bowling brought the breakthrough for Thornton – Josh Appleby (1-50) having Moore caught straight by Dingle.

It was soon 59-3 as Bee (2) was bowled by Bell (1-15) and Torrisholme’s nerves started to fray.

However, James Cookson (35) had other ideas and with Parry they built a 50-run partnership and guided Torrisholme to 110-3 in the 30th over.

Both Beech and Howard returned to the attack and this plan worked for Thornton as Cookson was out trying to clear cover.

Ferguson (3) couldn’t get going but Parry had now passed 50 and at 130-4 it was still either side’s game.

The moment of the innings came in the 35th over when Parry steered Beech through backward point, only for Eade to take a sharp diving catch to claim the wicket.

Jackson (25 not out) and Jack Heap (10) accumulated the required runs to claim two batting points, but the target was just out of reach.