Yesterday's match report comes directly from the DCCL Umpire of the day ...
"It was 1981 when my car exhaust suffered a spectacular departure en route to the Bob Willis Testimonial at High Lane Cricket Club, but 40 years later I'm delighted to announce that the rickety third world sandpit entrance has finally entered the 21st Century. For those who might be unaware, the Warwickshire and England opening bowler had lived in High Lane whilst studying at Manchester University in the late 1960s.
The High Lane ground has recently enjoyed a massive transformation and it would be a huge understatement to suggest that the outfield has somehow morphed to one of the quickest in less than two years. The Pavillion still currently resembles a Petrocelli episode from the late 70s with builders mixing cement behind the bowlers arm, but the vibe is upbeat and the overriding sense is one of positivity
The home team won the toss and invited the visitors from Hollingworth to take first knock. My fellow umpire was the unassumingly modest Andy Oldfield, and on a greenish track the second COVID break arrived with Hollingworth on 14-0 from 12 Overs, and the openers mightily relieved at surviving an impressive spell of swing and pace from Tyler Eislett (4 for 18) and Joel Chorlton (2 for 5). Josh Noel and Mike McCarthy backed up the opening bowlers, and the innings came to a swift conclusion with the last two batsman clean bowled with Hollingworth finishing on 71 all out.
Hollingworth needed quick wickets, but despite a couple of close LBW shouts, they lacked High Lane's consistency, and their total was soon passed with nine wickets to spare."
