ELLESMERE Port had to settle for a draw on Saturday after rain badly disrupted their Cheshire Alliance clash at Hartford.
The home team batted first with Rob Whittle (35) top-scoring. Timoor Shah was the star with the ball, recording figures of 7-20 as Hartford were restricted to 158-9 in their 48 overs.
However, it started to rain during the tea break and 25 overs were lost. This left Port with the challenge of trying to score 159 in 17 overs.
Opening batsman Gareth Boys (33) and Chris Gattrell (34) got off to an aggressive start and took the bowling apart in the early overs. The pair scored quickly in their partnership of 70.
Despite a valiant effort to win the game, Port ran out of overs and began to lose wickets. Rob Whittle took 3-37 and James Hodgkinson 3-39 for Hartford.
The visitors finished 30 runs short of Hartford’s total, their innings ending on 128-8.
Captain Boys said: “The weather didn’t work for us. I think we would have easily kicked on and won the game, no problem.”
This Saturday, Port host Old Parkonians, who are also struggling at the foot of the Division One table.
