Denton deny Stand victory (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Denton deny Stand victory

12:00pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport

STAND’S penultimate Lancashire County League encounter saw them go down at fourth-placed Denton St Lawrence by 41 runs.

Having lost the toss for the eighth time on the trot, Stand found themselves fielding in perfect conditions for cricket.

Despite the early loss of Adam Hawley – bowled by Scott Butterworth for eight – the home side made a solid start thanks to Dillnutt and Mirza reaching 86-1 after 17 overs and drinks.

The introduction of spinners Pete Walters and Stuart Catterall then pulled back the run rate as the pair conceded 113 in the next 31 overs, picking up three wickets apiece.

The main contributors for the home side were Dillnutt, who made 33, Mirza, 46, and Matt Hawley, 60, to see DSL to 200-7 with two overs left. Steve Dublin then blasted a trademark unbeaten 45 off 22 balls – after being just nine not out from 11 balls – which included six sixes to give the home side the upper hand at the interval, finishing on 243-7.

After losing Chris Holt early, Stand made a solid start with Brett Ernst and Curphey laying the foundations.

Ernst went caught behind for 36 and Matt Curphey went for 23 as the visitors reached 87-3 at the halfway point.

They kept up with the required rate thanks to 32 from Catterall and a half-century from Walters (coming in 58 balls).

But wickets started to fall and, although Stand stuck with the required rate of nine an over during the last 10 overs, once Walters went for 64 (a knock which included five sixes) with the score 194-8, it was then time to shut up shop and be content with a point.

Captain Gary Penchion and number 11 Jack Ritchie shared a vital unbeaten partnership of just seven in the final five overs, to see Stand claim their first bonus point of the season as they finished on 202-9.

This weekend Stand end their season by hosting Dukinfield on Saturday, before visiting Cheetham Hill on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the second team made it back-to-back wins after bowling out DSL for 77 at the SCG and winning with three wickets to spare.