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There was only 10 runs difference between the sides' totals in this closely fought game between Sale and Stockport Georgians but again Sale did not have the luck with them and that 10 runs was the difference between the reality of a 6 points defeat and a potential 25 points victory.
Sale were asked to field first on a blisteringly hot day and soon had the upper hand with Rashid Jamil and Mike Halkon bowling tightly to limit the hosts to 21 runs off the first 15 overs. In that time Halkon snapped up 2 wickets and both bowlers deserved their first drinks break. Changes in the bowling attack brought Stockport much needed scoring acceleration and the third wicket pair put on 59 in 53 minutes. It was only when the Jamil / Halkon bowling attack was back in place after 25 overs that Sale regained the initiative with Halkon taking two more deserved wickets with some nagging medium pace bowling. However, with the score reaching 91 for 4 Stockport still looked like reaching a decent score until Mark Almond was introduced into the attack. With his second ball he got the vital wicket of H Bailey who skied to cover and 7 balls later took a fine low catch off his own bowling to dismiss Georgians' Aussie all-rounder, Pinwill. Unsworth provided some resistance for the home side but Almond then took the last 3 wickets in 8 balls to take his tally to 5 for 12 off 7.3 overs - a fine effort after returning from injury. Halkon was the only other wicket-taker with figures of 4 for 36 off 17 overs - an excellent performance in energy-sapping conditions.
Georgians total of 128 was gettable but the wicket was breaking up a little which helped the home side's cause, particularly the accurate bowling attack of Pinwill. The Aussie made a big difference to the outcome of the game as he bowled with impressive speed and accuracy at one end throughout the Sale innings. His first success came in the 9th over when Butt was adjudged caught behind for 16. Kamran Mohammed went on the offensive with three boundaries but skied a hook off Pinwill attempting a fourth. The introduction of spin bowler Mezzullo brought instant success when he bowled Briggs and the skipper Millward was caught behind at 49 for 4. Joel Alderson looked in good form but he lost three partners in quick succession as Pinwill grabbed all three wickets inside 8 balls. At 67 for 7 Sale had a mountain to climb and the loss of Alderson for 22 (Pinwill again) added to Sale's dilemma. The last pair of James Kerr and Rashid Jamil then played out an unlikely valiant finale to the innings as with a mixture of caution and aggression they put together 27 off 6 overs. Suddenly Sale were within sight of an unexpected victory but then at 118 Kerr was bowled by Martin and it was all over ....so near and yet so far. Jamil was unbeaten on 20 and Pinwill finished with 7 for 57 off 19 overs to add to his 5 wickets in the game at Sale earlier in the season.
Sale have a vital game against Mobberley next Saturday as they strive to get out of the relegation zone. They certainly put in a fine effort in the field against Georgians, but on the day their batting was not quite good enough to overcome an Aussie in form.
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