Bolton-by-Bowland v Roundhay
Away, 7 August 2005

Booth states second claim toTheaker trophy.

East Keswick (BBB won toss): BBB beat Roundhay by 3 wkts.

The tension during England’s ashes win continued through the afternoon when Roundhay and Bolton played out a close game. The reception the visitors received from the Roundhay gentlemen was, as always, impeccable. Bolton turned up with only ten men (and a scorer); Eric Elsey, the octogenarian captain of Roundhay, immediately offered a fielder and even suggested that a Bolton player would be able to bat twice.

Roundhay batted first and were unlucky to lose opener Geoff Barker to a run out when Matt Sutton deflected Malhotra Suposh’s drive onto Barker’s stumps as he backed up. As soon as Geoff heard the appeal he walked – but more of Geoff later. ’Pedi’ joined Suposh and they put on 136 for the second wicket which helped Roundhay to 212 in their 40 overs.

It looked a tall order on a slow outfield but with Nigel Bunyan and Stephen Booth putting on 119 for the first wicket, in 16 overs, the tension that had existed all day began to unwind. Geoff Barker came on to bowl and took Bunyan first ball and then the next six in Bolton’s order looked at Barker’s bowling like rabbits looking at headlights. Barker took 3 for 0 in his first over and had reached 7 for 6 in his sixth over. Bolton were now at 150 for 7 and the tension back in the game as Simon Reynolds arriving at the crease to assist Booth. They saw off Barker and then carefully guided the score to the winning run.

The fair play spirit continued when Suposh took what looked like a spectacular catch only for him to declare that it had hit the ground as he took the ball. The game was a credit to all who played. Stephen Booth was man of the match carrying his bat for 124.

Batting

Player	How out	Score
S Booth	not out	124
N Bunyan	c Pedi b Barker	41
R Fielding	b Barker	0
N Holden	b Barker	0
J Reynolds	b Barker	2
D Ashton	s Hull b Barker	1
M Sutton	lbw Barker	0
S Reynolds	not out	18
C Darlington
Extras		26
Total 38.2 Overs, 7 Wkts		216

Roundhay - 212 for 6 Wkts (Suposh 84, Pedi 54, Preece 43)

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J Reynolds	7	1	35	1
M Sutton	8	1	28	0
S Booth	8	0	45	2
N Bunyan	7	1	37	1
S Reynolds	8	0	46	0
C Darlington	2	0	17	1