A Fine start for Anston

ANSTON Cricket Club have made a fine start to the 2012 season.

The Ryton Street men sit second in the Bassletaw Championship table, and have eased through their opening fixtures in both the Tomlins and Mallen Trophies.

Saturday’s league victory over North Wheatley with Leverton was followed by a comprehensive win over Mansfield Hosiery Mills just 24 hours later.

The Tomlins Trophy tie, a 40 overs match, saw Anston bowl first and start well, with an amazing one handed catch from youngster Josh Littlewood on the boundary.

Anston made steady inroads, keeping the Hosiery Mills batsmen in check with 47 the highest knock.

Plant (1 for 11), Stoneman (2 for 33) Long (1 for 22), Norbury (2 for 22) and Perera (4 for 8) shared the wickets between them to dismiss Mansfield for 126.

In reply, despite losing Lyne early for four runs, Anston reached the target for the loss of just two wickets.

Long made a great 59 and Plant 32 not out, aided by Perera’s 16 to see the team home.

On Tuesday, they made the short trip to Whitwell to begin their defence of the Mallen Trophy.

Their bowlers put Whitwell in trouble from the off, and as only Dyer and Pritchard made double figures, the hosts were all out for 61.

Wickets were shared once again, with Ruczenczyn (1 for 21), Barley (1 for 8), Long (2 for 16), Perera (4 for 9), Plant (1 for 1) and Taylor (1 for 1) all impressive.

Whitwell made Anston fight for the required runs, and while Anston were slow they were effective, Long providing the backbone with a match winning innings of 45.

Anston lost four wickets on their way to 64 and victory.

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