Anston’s visitors take lion’s share

Anston 182 for 8

Glapwell 223 for 9

ANSTON welcomed Glapwell to the first sunny day of cricket this season, and the visitors took home the lion’s share of the points.

On a sweltering hot day, Parkinson won the toss for the fourth time and invited Glapwell to bat on what looked like a cracking track.

Anston were straight in the game as Ruczenczyn had Topham LBW for 2, and shortly after a huge appeal was turned down as the same bowler thought he had Drayner.

Glapwell at this point turned the tables a little with both Drayner (37) and Bircumshaw dominating the bowling.

This was before a great caught and bowled by Plant removed the latter for 36.

Skipper Goodwright played a solid innings of 67 with support from Page (33) and saw Glapwell make a good 223 for 9 before the overs ran out.

Special mention to 14-year-old leg spinner Tom Holden, making his first team debut, who got a wicket with his second ball in Championship cricket.

Other wicket takers were Plant (3 for 64), Ruczenczyn (2 for 43) and Long (2 for 67).

Anston didn’t have the best of starts losing Marsh, Pickering and Plant all cheaply.

Long followed soon after for 18 and Anston were in dire straights.

But a great partnership between Parkinson (37) and Norbury set the home side back on track.

The target occasionally got in reach but Norbury, who made a quite breathtaking 86 not out, ran out of overs and nearly partners as Anston saw the innings out on 182 for 8.

It was a game Anston felt they may have won with their overseas player Amila Perera, who at last makes his return to the club this Saturday as Anston visit West Indian Cavaliers in Nottingham.