A RACE to be the hero for relegation battlers Ellesmere Port led to the home side claiming their own player was out!
The luxury of such high-jinks, sparked by Nick Brimble, was earned by the Port after they skittled depleted Rostherne for just 61.
The Cheshire Alliance Division Two basement club have struggled to field a full side for weeks and turned up at Whitby Sports and Social Club with just nine players.
Rather than winning the toss and putting the game beyond Rostherne, Gareth Boys’ sportsmanship saw him offer the visitors the chance to set a target.
They made an admirable stand, but 22 overs of fantastic bowling from Fahad Khan (3-33) and Dwayne Bernard (1-7), including eight maidens for Bernard, took their toll.
A brace of wickets each for Paul Betteridge and Wayne Shore polished off the tail as Rostherne were bowled out.
During tea, Ellesmere Port’s players were clamouring for spots in the batting line-up as they chased the low total.
Skipper Boys stuck to his plan, however, and opened with Paul Ashley and James Gatrell, who got the innings off to an acceptable start.
It was James’ brother Chris who took the game to the visitors.
His 34no virtually took Port over the line but when Ashley was caught for eight, pandemonium ensued.
Stuart Daniels was due in at number four, but Brimble sprinted to the crease first to see out the game with Gatrell.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Boys, whose side are away to Glazebury on Saturday. “He just sprinted on with no warning, kitted out and ready to go.
“We were all calling for lbw every time he faced a delivery, so determined were we to get him out for being that cheeky.”
In Division One, Groves (84-3) won at Stalybridge St Paul’s (83ao). They host Offerton on Saturday.
