Progress obvious despite defeat

Following a disappointing season opener last week against East Leeds A, Adwalton were provided with a hot local derby in their first away fixture at Gildersome.

After losing the toss, Adwalton were put in to bat and got off to a steady start. But it was short lived as both openers were dismissed and quick cameo appearance was made by Simon Johnson, in his first game following his return to the club. At 26 for 3 with ten overs gone it looked as if the seconds were in for another disastrous afternoon with Gildersome clearly on top. But captain Mark Palfreeman began a fightback on his way to 41, ably supported by Joe Smith, who continued his good form from the previous week. It was an unfortunate run out that eventually took Palfreeman from the wicket, the second run out of the innings, a mix up having already accounted for Matthew Lyles. Some resistance was presented by the lower order as Ben Allison hit out and took the total to a more respectable 141-10 with 4 overs remaining.

Lessons had clearly been learnt from the week before as Palfreeman found a more economical and threatening way to utilize his bowlers. Matthew Lyles opened with the new ball, finding numerous edges, but it was eventually a full toss that made the initial break through. At the other end James Emmott effectively neutralized the batsman, conceding only 20 runs off his ten overs. This idea of bowling in tandem worked successfully, with Andy Ingham and Chris Smith providing cover at one end for the more attacking tendencies of Ben Allison, Emmott and Lyles.
For a time it was working, as Gildersome struggled to 100-4, wickets falling intermittently as confidence grew in the Adwalton side. But a total of 141 was simply not enough as the opposition reached it with overs to spare.

It was another defeat, but clearly improvements had been made and the team left with an optimism that can hopefully be carried through to next weeks home match against Hopton Mills A.