EIGHT WICKETS - Ian Nuttall

Nuttall's gr-eight effort!

ATHERTON CC completed an excellent weekend when, after Saturday's home fixture against Blackrod was washed out after 18 overs, on Sunday they completed an eight wicket win at Darcy Lever.

Winning the toss, skipper Paul Brown asked the home side to bat on a wet track. The Atherton bowling was opened by pro Mihir Diwakar and Ian Nuttall.

Mihir reeled off five maidens while accounting for Darcy skipper John Norris, caught behind by Phil Williamson.

Nuttall's first five overs conceded 10 runs but contained a double wicket maiden, clean bowling the normally free-scoring Nick Fawcett and following up three balls later with the prize wicket of professional Bret Collins who fell to a beautiful slip catch by Phil Wakefield. Neither batsmen had scored.

Nuttall struck again in his eighth over when he had Richard Fern caught by Mark Parry for 10. His ninth over produced a further two wickets courtesy of catches by Pauls McLoughlin and Walsh. His 14th and 15th provided a further two when he had Carlisle Stewart lbw and James Hill caught by Paul Brown.

After Mihir, who had been replaced by David Baines, came back and clean bowled Chris Thompson, Nuttall finished the innings off when he caught and bowled Dominic Gavin.

The Hacken Lane side had been dismissed for 93 and Nuttall had incredible figures of 17.2-6-8-42.

Since 1990 only two bowlers have previously taken eight wickets for Atherton and they were both professionals, Greg Dimery in 2001 and Mike Scothern in 1991.

Technique

Atherton opened their reply with Karl Brown and Paul McLoughlin and with 60 overs to get 94 neither batsman was in the mood to attempt anything rash. Brown batted beautifully, showing excellent defensive technique against opening bowlers Stocks and Collins. He was ably supported by his partner who was quite happy to play second fiddle, taking 47 balls for his five runs.

When Brown was the second wicket to fall for 23 with the total on 33, Wakefield and Diwakar came together and the pair proceeded to guide their side to victory in the 29th over.

Wakefield finished on 18 while Diwakar completed the days top score of 40 which included 4 fours and 2 sixes but the day and the match belonged to Nuttall.

Atherton took a maximum 20 points while Darcy remained pointless.

This weekend Elton visit Higham Park for a league match while on Sunday Atherton visit Preston-based Fulwood and Broughton in the second round of the National KO.