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Noden century is just the job for Grove

Brian Rimmer
11/ 6/2008

HAZEL Grove avenged their cup defeat the previous weekend with a strong performance and victory against rivals New Mills on Saturday.

Grove started in determined fashion at New Mills, with Geoff Noden in top form.

After losing their first wicket at 42, he and Rick Burke put on 138 before Burke was run out for 48.

Noden went on to reach 103, the first centurion this season, as Grove closed at 205 for 3.

When New Mills replied, skipper Burke ran out Mills (6) at 9 for 1 with Grove operating an unfamiliar opening attack of Mohammed Sarwar and David Jones.

This was a welcome return for Jones’ left-handed guile.

Sarwar soon had Streets LBW and then saw two slip catches held - the second a brilliant, one-handed effort by Burke as the home side tottered to 16 for 4.

In stark contrast to the previous weekend, Grove were sharp in the field as Burke, despite limping backwards, caught Stuart Whitchurch off Jones at 27 for 5.

Burgess was stumped off Jones for 10 at 48 for 6, and Ward was caught off the same bowler two runs later.

After bowling 14 overs and taking 3-20, Sarwar gave way to Alex Wigley.

An unsung hero, wicket-keeper Ralph Taylor, then immediately conjured two more stumpings to render New Mills 54 for 9.

The anticipated early finish did not materialise, however, as last wicket pair Luke Anthony and Josh Stevens defied the Grove attack for 14 overs in a spirited partnership of 65.

Stevens was 21 not out, before Anthony was caught behind in the last over for an accomplished 43.

Grove won by 86 runs, Jones finishing with 4 for 37.