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UP NORTH WITH FRANK (P)
Grant Chessari is sunning himself in the North of England while we sit at home planning for next season. Grant is playing for Milnrow in the Central Lancashire League. Each week I hope to find some articles of interest on Milnrow's progress and Grant's performance on the internet.
This is the first article I have found featuring Grant. Hopefully the future articles will report on a win.
MILNROW BLOW THEIR CHANCE AGAINST THE TABLE-TOPPERS
Article Courtesy of Rochdale Observer – Sport 24/07/2004
AT ONE time on Saturday afternoon this report was going to be about life in the fast lane.
But it can now be anything but that following the innings of Milnrow professional Wade Wingfield who seemed to upset the followers from Ladyhouse with a less than inspiring innings against the CLL leaders at Woodhouse Lane.
Wingfield went to the crease with Milnrow on 20 for one and chasing a winning target of 184 after Steve Lane had bowled superbly to finish with six Norden wickets for 42 runs.
Wingfield could argue that he was up against some decent bowling and that he had to stay at the crease as other batsmen tumbled.
We will not argue against him, but the statistics show he batted 43 overs for an unbeaten 52, that he hit only two fours and one six in boundaries, and that he took 29 consecutive singles.
What the stats don’t show is that he had an annoying habit of taking a run off the first ball of an over, thus exposing the less experienced batsmen to the twin assault of Asif Mujtaba and Mascarenhas.
Mascarenhas struck the first blow for Norden when he bowled Max Power off stump for eight.
Matt Dawson fell without addition when he was trapped leg before by Mujtaba, and Grant Chessari fell with the total on 46 when he played an awful shot against Mujtaba and was bowled all ends up.
The onus was on Wingfield as far as Milnrow were concerned, and he found a willing ally in Ben Royds who stuck in for a dozen runs before Mujtaba beat him with a straight delivery. Royds played the foil but Wingfield failed to accelerate.
Lane was trapped leg before by Mujtaba, Hall played on a delivery from Mascarenhas and Butler was bowled by Mujtaba.
Whiteman was stumped by Nick Brierley after moving down the wicket to Mujtaba, Higgins was bowled by Mujtaba, and Jon Storey was caught by the pro to give Mascarenhas his first three-wicket haul for some time.
Wingfield had run out of partners with the score on 126 and still short of a consolation batting point for Milnrow. It perhaps spoke volumes when there was little applause, if any, when he reached his half century, and if there was a collection taken for him they didn’t bring the hat anywhere near where I was sitting.
Mind you, there wasn’t a collection for Asif who took seven for 44 and had earlier scored 75.
He and Paul Carroll put on 51 in quick time as Norden set their stall out for another big score. But Wingfield then bowled Carroll who went for a big heav-o.
Six runs later Wingfield trapped Alex Tattersall leg before, and he also accounted for Greg Tattersall, leg before, after Lane had picked up the scalps of Stu Fern and Brierley.
When Mascarenhas was caught by Jon Storey, Norden were in a shocking position at 90 for six. But as Lane, Storey and Ben Royds plugged away Norden gradually pushed their total along to 183. Simon Egerton scored 16 and Mujtaba was finally out, stumped off Lane, for 75.
Chris Shotton, Rob Holmes and Paul Morrell played bit parts in the innings, but they held up the Milnrow charge and put on what could have proved vital runs.
POWER LEADS FROM FRONT
Article Courtesy of Rochdale Observer – Sport 21/07/2004
RESURGENT Milnrow made it three wins in a row with a surprising but comfortable victory over title-hopefuls Heywood at Ladyhouse.
The home side restricted the visitors to a paltry 107-8 from 50 overs before a captain’s knock from Max Power secured the points for the Ladyhouse outfit.
Power’s unbeaten 46 calmed the nerves of home supporters as he steered his side home with six wickets and 14 overs to spare.
The platform for victory was provided by the bowlers, well backed up by some excellent fielding. South African professional Wade Wingfield helped himself to 4-45 from 25 overs. Jon Storey gave another wholehearted display to net 3-57 from his 25 overs.
Milnrow won the toss and the damp wicket encouraged Power to put Heywood in. The decision soon paid dividends when former Milnrow man Mike Arnold was brilliantly caught at forward short-leg by Ben Royds, off Wingfield.
Heywood’s stand-in professional Jeevantha Kulatunga, who plays for Barnoldswick in the Ribblesdale League, became Wingfield’s second victim, his mistimed drive looping to Justin Fletcher.
Bobby Cross looked to be bedding in, but with the score on 36 he edged Jon Storey onto his stumps and was out for 19. Chris Kaye adopted a watchful approach, taking 51 balls to reach double figures, but he could only look on as Jon Shaw (1), Gary Wilkinson (2) and Josh Webb (2) returned to the pavilion post-haste. Heywood were 63-7.
The experienced Rick Purser joined Kaye in the middle and, on a wicket with variable bounce, the two found it hard going. Kaye finally threw caution to the wind, clouting three fours and a six, before Purser was bowled by Wingfield.
Will Purser was run out for nought as Heywood staggered to their meagre total. Kaye remained unbeaten on 48.
Milnrow’s reply got off to a lively start with Power and Matt Dawson making light of the difficult conditions by taking 43 from the first 10 overs. The opening pair had taken the score to 57 when Dawson, for the umpteenth time this season, was trapped leg before for a fine 37.
Rick Purser and Kaye’s tight bowling gave Heywood some encouragement. Wingfield (3), looking for an early finish, sent the ball careering straight into the hands of Webb on the boundary.
Grant Chessari (3) was superbly caught and bowled, low down, by Kaye to leave Milnrow at 73-4, and Ben Royds (8) was run out attempting a suicidal single to Cross, one of the best fielders in the league.
But Power was not to be denied as he calmly took his side past the winning post to four more valuable points.
PAIN IN THE RAIN FOR ROYTON
Article Courtesy of Rochdale Observer – Sport 14/07/2004
ROYTON’S woes continued at the Paddock on Saturday when they suffered a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Milnrow.
The match was reduced to 37 overs per side following persistent rain, and the home side found the going tough when they took first guard.
Royton were bowled out for only 94, captain Lee Gibbons hitting the top score of 32 and visiting professional Wade Wingfield collecting six for 42
Shahid Mahboob, the Greenfield professional standing in for Iqbal Imam, scored only four for Royton, but fared better with the ball, taking two for 38 from 13.2 overs.
But he was unable to prevent Milnrow from racing to victory with more than 11 overs to spare, Wingfield completing a fine all-round performance with 34.
LACKLUSTRE MILNROW LOSE
Article courtesy of Rochdale Observer – Sport 08/07/2004
MILNROW, like the England football team, promise much but achieve little.
At Middleton on Sunday the visitors looked for long periods of the game like a team who are going through the motions and can’t wait for the season to end.
Milnrow appeared resigned to defeat from the outset and their fielding, which is normally their strength, was lethargic and sloppy.
The bowling attack, minus Lee Storey, looked limited and Mark Wakefield is having a hard time with bat and ball - enjoying little or no luck with either.
South African paid man Wade Wingfield bowled only nine overs and was far from an inspirational figure to those around him.
There is no doubt Milnrow need to do some serious soul searching, otherwise it will be a long, hard and fruitless second half to the season.
Middleton, on the other hand, showed spirit and determination as they bounced back from a previous day’s defeat by bottom club Stand.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat.
Sri Lankan openers Dave Kumara and Sajith Fernando looked comfortable as they took the total past the 50 mark with ease.
The home side had reached 55 when Kumara’s ferocious pull shot was superbly caught by Wingfield at the second attempt.
Fernando was in excellent form and he took advantage of a short leg-side boundary to smash Wakefield for three gigantic sixes.
Jimmy Ryan gave the Middleton paid man solid support until he was bowled by Ben Royds for 22.
Fernando looked set for a century, but he was snapped up by keeper Dawson after a lazy flick at a straight one from Royds.
Middleton captain John Punchard fell to the same combination seven runs later and Milnrow were back in the match.
It was an ideal opportunity for Wingfield to demand the ball and return to the attack.
It didn’t happen and Kevin Dufeu and Tom Mallinson smashed the hapless Milnrow bowling to all parts of the ground in a partnership of 72.
Jon Storey bowled Dufeu for a magnificent 58 and Buckley holed out to Chessari off Wingfield, but by then the damage had been done as the Middleton innings closed on 232-7.
Milnrow needed a good start and Dawson and Power looked comfortable. Dawson then missed a fullish-length delivery from Phil Tomlinson and was judged leg before.
Wingfield looked in the mood as he stroked the ball to the boundary and, although he and Power’s progress was sedate, the winning target looked achievable.
Power lost patience and his attempt at a big hit off Punchard looped to Fernando at square leg.
Grant Chessari and Wakefield picked up the pace, but with the total on the dreaded 111 the South African nicked Nigel Doyle to Punchard at slip.
Anthony Rowson didn’t last long, but he will count himself unlucky as he was brilliantly caught by Mallinson running round from mid-off.
Chessari took the fight to Middleton with a six and two fours off a Doyle over, but his departure for 45 with the score on 154 signalled the end of Milnrow’s challenge.
Stephen Hall went leg before for 11, Wakefield followed in the same manner off Fernando for nought and Whiteman was bowled by the Sri Lankan pro for 10.
And Milnrow’s day was summed up in the final action of the game as a breakdown in communication between Royds and Jon Storey saw the latter run out. Royds remained unbeaten on 14.
MILNROW'S WOES GOES ON AND ON
Article courtesy of Rochdale Observer - Sport
THE RAIN cleared at Ladyhouse on Saturday to allow the game between Milnrow and Oldham to go ahead, but the depression continued for the locals as they suffered a last-ball defeat.
The home side took first knock, progressing steadily to 37 when Matt Dawson was trapped leg before by Martin Smith.
Four runs later Milnrow captain Max Power joined him in the shed, stumped off Luke Procter’s bowling for 15.
Grant Chessari edged Smith to Maher. Andrew Butler was bowled by Heino Kuhn and Mark Wakefield, who can’t buy a decent knock this season, was bowled by Procter for two.
Procter then trapped Stephen Hall lbw for a duck and the same bowler disposed of Jon Storey, bowled Procter for three.
And when Andrew Rowson was run out for eight Milnrow were 80-8.
Wade Wingfield nurdled his way to an unimpressive 19 off 47 balls. Ben Royds chipped in with 10 not out as Milnrow limped to 98-8.
Pick of the crop for Oldham was Procter with a return of 4-12 from his six overs.
Oldham’s reply started in similar fashion to the Milnrow’s innings as Kuhn and Chadwick pushed the score to 28, before Jon Storey knocked back Chadwick’s stumps.
Milnrow’s joy was undisguised five runs later when Kuhn, who had smashed 99 in the previous game between the two sides, was trapped in front by Wingfield.
Oldham then suffered a Milnrow-like collapse as Smith, Bloor and Maher went cheaply and the visitors were 53-6.
Hero of the hour Procter was bowled for 20, but Paul Inkpen carried on the good work as Oldham edged towards the winning line.
With the score on 88 Milnrow’s hopes were revived when Wingfield dismissed Thompson and Holt.
The visitors needed eight off the last over and the pressure was relieved as they scored seven off the first three balls to tie the scores.
Two dot balls followed, but Inkpen who finished unbeaten on 23 pushed the winning single from the final delivery to give Oldham the points.
Durose the inspiration for Coppice outfit
Article courtesy of Rochdale Observer.co.UK
ALAN Durose was Werneth’s star man as the Coppice outfit, under the captaincy of Stuart Moore for the first time, defeated Milnrow by four wickets at home on Saturday.
Durose took five wickets for 62 and followed up with Werneth’s top score of 57 as maximum points were secured.
Taking first guard, Milnrow made 168, overseas amateur Grant Thessari recording their top score of 44.
Werneth comfortably reached their target for the loss of four wickets.
Durose was given sound support by David Ainsworth (43), whom Moore succeeded as skipper.
Milnrow powerless to halt Walsden’s charge to victory
Article courtesy of Rochdale Observer.co.UK
WITHOUT three first-team regulars, Milnrow struggled to make their mark with the bat and could do little to prevent Walsden pro Shaun Marsh steering his side to a seven-wicket victory.
The Ladyhouse team - missing skipper Max Power, Ben Royds and Steven Hall - were stuck in on their own track by the men from Yorkshire and struggled to score runs.
Mark Hooson found plenty of movement off the seam and Marsh proved a tricky customer with his spinners.
There were 21 on the board when opener Matt Dawson (3), playing against his former club, called for a single that wasn’t there and was run out by a direct hit from Neil Barker.
Mark Wakefield followed 18 runs later, for 26, caught by Barker off Hooson, leaving paid man Wade Wingfield to spearhead the attack on Walsden’s profiting bowlers. But he wasn’t at his fluid best and failed to find support as his team-mates crumbled around him.
Grant Chessari was unlucky to see the bails taken off by Hooson after padding up to a delivery that had plenty left to do.
Andy Butler briefly rallied with Wingfield before Hooson had him caught for nine and Whiteman followed soon after, pouched by Dewhirst, this time off Marsh.
Hooson was in full flight and he dismissed Alan Wood and Fletcher for ducks. Seb Wood (5) and Cunliffe (1), on debut, offered little better and when Wingfield was caught by Marsh off David Blake the end was nighe.
Milnrow finished on a measly 95 all out with more than 15 overs unused.
The reply promised to be swift, but to their credit Wingfield, John Storey and Wakefield kept things tight for a while.
Walsden lost Stuart Hanson, caught behind for seven off the pro, and Hooson to a smart catch in the slips by Chessari, off Storey.
But Marsh then decided to unleash some of his impressive strokeplay. He raced through the second half of his 50 in only 15 balls and hit six fours in the onslaught.
The winning runs came from a boundary which also brought up Marsh’s half-century. The Aussie pulled Storey through backward square-leg in emphatic fashion.
Rapid collapse spells defeat
Article courtesy of Rochdale Observer.co.UK
A MIDDLE-ORDER collapse put paid to Milnrow’s chances of victory at Werneth on Saturday.
The Ladyhouse side were well set on 140-3 when Steven Hall was caught by Paul Gill top-edging Pakistani professional Kanitkar, sparking a rapid demise. They lost seven wickets in nine overs to post a very modest 168 their hosts knocked off with ease.
Grant Chessari had been the pick of a poor Milnrow batting display. After openers Matt Dawson (21) and Wade Wingfield (18) departed, he struck 44 from 63 balls, including six fours. His dismissal - caught by David Ainsworth off the bowling of Alan Durose - looked slightly dubious as the groundsman at The Coppice hadn’t marked the boundary line at deep square leg too clearly. But Chessari should, in truth, have got hold of the shot better and was in no mood to complain back in the pavilion.
Kanitkar was the pick of the Werneth attack, taking four for 25 off 13 overs, although Durose weighed in with a five-wicket haul costing 62 runs.
The Coppice track, which offered some encouragement to the home bowlers earlier in the day, looked ideal for batting as Werneth began their response. Wingfield struck with the score on 11, trapping Jon Slater (5) leg before, and Jon Storey had Kanitkar (4) caught by Tony Rowson.
But Durose set about steering his side to victory with an impressive knock. He reached his half-century off 38 balls, including six fours and two sixes. He eventually fell, lbw to Chris Whiteman, for 57, adding another big boundary to his tally that took just 44 balls to compile.
Sean Perris (31) and Ainsworth (43) kept the total moving and although Milnrow snagged their wickets late on, Stuart Moore hit the winning runs with 16 overs left.
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Prahran Cricket Club
