Lymington Cricket Club - Dale Middleton Memorial match 2004

Match Report - Dale Middleton Memorial -15th August 2004
Bashley v Lymington

Dale's mum Sue with captains Shaun Lilley and Neill Denby

A Fitting Tribute for Dale
Dozens of friends, family and former teammates gathered at Bashley Cricket Ground on Sunday to remember Dale Middleton who tragically died last year. It was a fine turn out and a fitting tribute to the popular youngster who had played his early cricket with Lymington before going on to establish himself as an accomplished all-rounder for Bashley in the Southern League. Two matches between the clubs were organised at the BCG as part of the memorial day: a senior match on the main square and an Under 15s game on the adjoining second pitch.

A young Tony Middleton Mid-morning drizzle delayed the start of the men's match, but once the rains had cleared Bash wasted little time in tucking into the Lymington bowling, and by lunchtime they had passed the hundred mark for the loss of just Neil Sexton. Former Hampshire and England A opening batsman Tony Middleton (3-38) then came into the attack and soon dismissed Simon Dean with his cunning left arm spin. Graham Pardey (64) and Andy Neal (55) added a fruitful partnership for the third wicket, and some lusty late blows from Shaun Lilley enabled the home side to declare on 228 for 7.

After losing Stu Simkins in the second over, Jerry Holt and Tony Middleton set about rebuilding the innings. Middleton rolled back the years with some wonderfully timed strokes before pulling a short ball to mid-wicket and departing for 31. This triggered a mini collapse as McGuirk, Hunter, Trestrail and Tapper all fell in quick succession as spinner Ross Grierson (3 for 27) weaved his magic.

When Jerry Holt eventually fell for a fine 57 - including a huge six into the next field off Andy Sexton - Lymington were left with the task of batting out the last 15 overs to save the match. This they almost did, with Adie Hunt (31) putting up stout resistance, until Neil Taylor finally bamboozled last man Martin Gregory with a googly to clinch the match with just a couple of balls to spare.

Under 15s
Bashley also came out on top in the 40 over colts match. Batting first, the mainly under 14 Lymington team lost Scott Taper and Tim Noble cheaply early on however Lloyd Scott (47) was batting well at the other end and looking like he meant to bat through until out to a sharp caught and bowled chance. A very good partnership developed between Tom Thorp (43) and Stuart Beveridge (50) they put on nearly a 100. Stuart was playing with great poise until a rush of blood as soon as he got to 50 saw him caught to a skyer. The rest of the wickets tumbled in the final 5 overs as the lads attempted to push up the scoring rate but just ended up reducing it. The final total 185 for 9.

The classy Bashley sides opening batsmen added 140 at a rapid rate for the first wicket to put their side well on the way to victory. Some indifferent fielding and friendly bowling helping their cause. Peter Harding and Tim Noble made the breakthrough and the Bashley wickets started to tumble quickly but Gavin Bailiff steadied the ship and saw the league champions romp home for the lost of 5 wickets and plenty of overs in hand.

At the end of the senior match Dale's mum Sue presented the players with medals as a memento of the day. The whole event had been expertly organised by Bashley Cricket Club, from the wonderful lunches and teas prepared by Maggie Grierson and her colleagues to the after-match barbeque manned by Chairman John Neal. All in all it was a very fitting tribute to a sorely-missed young cricketer.