Unbeaten Bollington show no signs of letting up
BOLLINGTON CC TOM HORSFIELD
BOLLINGTON’S triumphant start to the season continued, in a game which saw them dominate from start to finish with yet another professional and solid performance against Irby.
In-form opening bowlers Mo Jahangir and Sabir Mallie shared another successful wicket hall picking up seven between them as they tormented the Irby batting line up from the beginning.
Irby batsmen faced a torrid time early on with lots of early chances for Bollington, and it wasn’t too far into the innings until Jahangir capitalised and removed opening batsmen Danny Gulliver for 8.
Jahangir was backed up superbly by Mallie who removed three batsmen in just four balls and saw Bollington on course to be chasing a low target.
Irby were sitting in a perilous position at 40-4, saw a mini revival from the middle order batsmen which looked to give them a fighting chance as Dave Newman (41) and Justin Overend (16) battled hard to bring up 100 for the home team.
A brilliant unrewarded spell of bowling from Stuart Plant (0-36 of 16 overs) restricted and frustrated the Irby middle order which allowed pressure to build at the opposite end for Alex Durie who capitalised with immediate effect breaking the partnership and placing Irby in a perilous position.
Durie struck again soon after removing Chris McGinn for nine which left him figures of 2-26 from his nine overs.
Jahangir (4-42) and Mallie (3-36) returned to the attack late on, of which they were met with some resilience by batsman S.Renshaw who hit a quick fire 23 not out to set Bollington a total of 152 to win.
Bollington made easy work of chasing the required total.
However Bollington opener Tom Barrass fell cheaply for 10 and gave Irby a glimmer of hope of placing a foothold in the game.
Barrass’ dismissal brought in-form overseas all-rounder Sabir Mallie to the crease who looked as confident as ever in yet another free flowing innings.
Also at the crease was Bolly skipper Rick Hough who anchored the run chase. Both batsmen looked content at the crease with the runs coming with ease with both batsmen passing 50 just after drinks.
Mallie then decided to take matter into his own hands and get the game finished with early, with some tremendous big hitting to finish the game of just 36 overs.
Both Hough (56*) and Mallie (87*) surpassed 300 league runs following their impressive run chase and look to carry their form into next week’s highly-anticipated fixture against fellow unbeaten side Warrington.