by Simon Lacey

Shipley Hall moved into the last 16 of the Village Championship with a heart-stopping victory on Sunday at Colwall on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border.

Colwall, whose ground has been used for Minor Counties cricket, have two excellent spinners and they had produced a raging ‘bunsen’ that suited the spin-orientated Shipley attack.

Colwall got off to a shaky start and lost wickets at regular intervals. All the Shipley bowlers returned excellent figures and were supported by superb ground fielding.

Josh Buckley, the only seamer in the Shipley attack, took three wickets and two magnificent catches.

Butler made an even 50 and moved the score from 37-3 to 116-7 but Colwall were bowled out in the 36th over for 124.

Wes Essex made 16 out of the opening stand of 18 but wickets tumbled at an alarming rate.

At drinks, Shipley were in deep trouble at 64-5. Mark Starr, who had held the ship steady with 32, departed at 70 and two more wickets went down with the score on 84.

A mini-revival by John Buckley and Martin Starr ended with the latter’s departure at 97 in the 29th over.

Graham Farnsworth got off to a flying start with two boundaries and the runs came steadily and confidently.

The large Shipley contingent watched nervously as two wides and a four in the 35th over reduced the target to three.

John Buckley took a single and Graham Farnsworth drove the fifth ball through extra cover for four and a wonderful and, from the depths of 84-8, unexpected victory. John had 18 and Graham 19.

The travelling army of players, officials and supporters will be moving to Shropshire in two weeks time as they take on Quat with the tantalising prospect of a Lords final only three wins away.

That was the good news for the weekend – now the bad.

On Saturday, the first XI attack was pounded by high-flying Swarkestone (268-1).

Shipley made a good start as Wes Essex (40) and Stef Gamble put on 71 in the first 15 overs.

The innings fell away badly thereafter but Gamble’s wall-like defence was only breached in the penultimate over and a distant draw was secured.

Even allowing for a weakened side, the second XI batted deplorably against Denby thirds at Shipley.

On a plumb pitch, 115 all out in 41 overs was a woeful effort. Garry Hickinbotham, the third XI skipper, ‘guested’ for the seconds as his side were not in action, and top-scored with 34. Neil Parkin was left undefeated on 12.

The bowling has generally been good this season and they did their best to salvage something from the game.

Martin Chapman and Grahame McDonough produced their customary excellent spells and Denby were in trouble at 45-5. Phil Glenn, a once great batsman in his dotage, led his young side to victory making a chanceless 27.

It is to their credit that some senior players, rather than enjoy the jolly boys outing on the bus to Colwall, took a young side to Duffield for a Sunday League match.