Bowles Bashes Nelson

Returning to Moorside Vale for the first time in three weeks the visitors against the second eleven were Hunslet Nelson, sitting second in the table and with only two defeats to their name this season. Adwalton however fielded a strong, young and balanced side.

Another toss lost meant that Adwalton were to field first on a hot day, but initial doubts were quickly dismissed as Josh Bowles trapped Stephen Burton leg before wicket and Jeff Nicholson caught and bowled giving Adwalton a great start. Hard work in the field was typified by a good catch by Chris Smith to remove Andrew Brown, but Joe Belwood stayed with opener Chris Allan to begin to allow Nelson to take a grip on the game. Chris Smith’s tight bowling spell eventually got the better of Belwood who scored 41 before being caught. Adam Nicholson had an unhappy return to the club with a duck, but it was the wicket of Chris Allan, again from Bowles, who finished with figures of 3-39, that swung the match back towards Adwalton. A fine 43 from young Oliver Maitland was halted by Tom Leeming, who picked up three wickets as the tail fell leaving Hunslet Nelson all out for 217, a below par score for a pitch that usually required a 250+ target.

A now stable batting order set off confidently towards the target, but opener Leeming and Chris Davey were soon set packing. It was left to Jonathan Banks and captain Mark Palfreeman to steady the ship, which they did for a short period before Palfreeman was unluckly caught and bowled. However up stepped man of the moment Josh Bowles whose uncompromising style devastated the Hunslet Nelson attack as he hit 89 runs off only 52 balls including 9 fours and 7 sixes. A truly remarkable knock was aided by Banks, who narrowly missed out on a half century again, and short but important stays from Chris Smith and James Emmott. Somewhat tense, with only three wickets to fall and still twenty runs required Reece Farnhill saw the game out with a contribution of 13 runs as Bowles continued his thrashing at the other end. It was in the end a nail biting victory but a good win nevertheless.