By Daniel Paproth
WYNDHAMVALE’S A Turf side continued its bleak form as it toiled for 80 overs yesterday and was still unable to dismiss all of Hoppers Club’s batsmen.
Proceedings began well for the Vales, who had Hoppers Club three down for 42 early on and dangerous batsman Mark Aquilina caught for just 16.
Unfortunately for the Vales Hoppers Crossing skipper Steven Nolan and Nick Tzuntzurkas put on a partnership of 119 runs to thwart their bowling and deaden their spirit. However, Tzuntzurkas’s dismissal was followed two runs later by Nolan’s, putting Wyndhamvale right back into contention, but it seemed it would not be enough.
However the next four wickets were still battled hard for, with the sixth of Kaine Healy coming 31 runs later, after he was adjudged leg before for 7.
Matthew Edsall was gone a run later for 25 runs, with Mark Croswell (21) and Martin Ritchie (23) both falling within 29 and 33 run intervals.
Some steely batting tailenders Andrew Wilks and Danny Edsall, who made 26 and 11 not out respectively, saw Hoppers Club make their way to 281 before captain Nolan decided it was time to declare.
The pick of the bowlers for Wyndhamvale was Ryan Radford who took the incredible figures of 5/64 from 19 overs.
Lee Veal also took 2/60 from 19, including seven maidens.
