Denaby Win, But Arthur Ellis One Short Of 100

There were runs galore at Cortonwood in the Cortonwood – Denaby Council match on Saturday. Spectators saw 392 made for the loss of only eight wickets and a dramatic victory for Denaby in the extra five overs.

The wicket certainly a batsmen’s paradise and a credit to groundsman Dyson Crowcroft. Leading the run making spree was Denaby’s opening bat, Arthur Ellis. Arthur scored a grand 99 not out. When his side’s score was 194 and level with Cortonwood’s, his own score was 95.

Up came Jack Lax to bowl and Arthur swung for that six needed for victory and also for his own century.

Alas, it fell short and rolled over for a four to give his side a 6 wickets’ victory, but he himself one short of that coveted century.

The spectators had earlier seen some grand batting by Cortonwood who, scored 194 for 4 declared. Their run getters included Ray Certainly ‘likes’ Denaby. He scored 51 not our against them earlier in the season.

Ray had a grand partner once again in Brian Layhe. Brian scored a grand 63 before falling a victim to Downing and he and Ray put on 130 for the second wicket after having early ‘lives.’ The most successful Denaby bowler was Downing, with 8 for 32. Denaby quickly lost Waddington, a victim of Peploe. Cory and Taylor soon followed and Denaby were 54 for 3.

Naturally, Cortonwood had hopes of victory, but these were shattered by Ellis and his partner, Norman Oakley. These two moved the score along and soon they had put on 125 when Lax got Oakley lbw. for 64 for the fourth wicket. Denaby naturally claimed the extra five overs and with Ellis hitting well, victory was theirs with revenge for an earlier defeat by Cortonwood. Most successful Cortonwood bowler was Eric Peploe, with 3 for 43.

This was cricket at its best and all praise to both sides for some grand play. Certainly 892 runs in 300 minutes is ‘brighter cricket’.