Rain denies Kirkby fight back (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rain denies Kirkby fight back

10:55am Saturday 23rd August 2008 in Cricket

ON ANOTHER overcast day, Kirkby inserted Shireshead and got off to a relatively good start, taking their first wicket in the third over.

But then Park (28) joined Jaques (57) and the home side built a healthy stand as they raced to 70 between them.

Jaques hit the ball hard but had his fair share of luck on what proved to be a dismal day in the field for the visitors as they put down at least eight catches as well as spilling another half dozen half chances.

Jim Kettlwell, with 5-54, did his best to slow the run rate but useful knocks from Armstrong (21) and Jaques (18), with a few more chipping in, led to a useful total, with Darren Troughton picking up the other two wickets to fall.

With the weather closing in, Kirkby made steady but slow progress and stood at 48-2 after 20 overs.

Phil Pease (36) and Russell Beaumont (21) had to put their feet on the gas if Kirkby were to force a win. However, both lost their wickets in the attempt.

Grant Troughton (11) hit a couple of lusty blows but as the rain came Kirkby had reached 108-5, spoiling the chance of an interesting finish.

With 11 overs to go, Williams and Troughton were just starting to get into their stride but again the rain came to steal the day.