SP100606

Whitehall came into the game against needing 6 points to keep up any sort of title challenge.

However with some key players missing (Steve Haw still injured, Bob Finch back from holiday
but with a hand injury, Dean Wright watching England, Richard Francis still AWOL, Tom
Moore also still suffering from his broken hand.)

Phil White and Dave Bond replaced the absent Steve and Dean from the Farsley game.

For the 2nd time in 6 days, the jobsworths at Leeds Met wouldn't let us park on the drive so
an impromtu car park was formed on the outskirt of the park.

On a glorious day in LS6 Michael Wood did the undoable and won the toss for 5th
successive time, and for the 4th time of those five he made Shipley bat first.

A decision which appeared to be the correct one when Simon had enabled both openers to
listen to England play Paraguay, but just like England, after a good start Whitehall struggled
a bit in the field as Shipley built a nice looking partnership. Both Joe and Simon worked
really hard but for no luck with some half chances dropping short of hitting a gap.

However some momentum was thrown back into Whitehall's innings when Chris Thompson
came on at the far end of the ground. His spell of 5 overs included 3 maidens and managed
to take 3 wickets for only 8 runs, in a spell that really got Whitehall into a game that had
threatened to run away from them. The biggest wicket of the 3 was the wicket that broke the
3rd wicket partnership of Mir and Taylor which saw Taylor finish on 30 and Mir end on 29.

Whitehall were finally off and running again Simon dismissed Mir and then Free followed
quickly after, when Martin finally held onto the 3rd chance of the afternoon, although the
previous 2 had been very difficult.

Tommo had Thorp bowled before stand in wicket keeper Paul took 3 catches, 1 each of the
bowling of Chris, Simon and Joe who had come back on to replace Chris.

Simon finished off the Shipley innings when he bowled Pattison for 0 and Shipley finished
the day on 112.

Although not the biggest score, Whitehall would have to have one of the highest successful
chases of the season so far this season and Whitehall's highest score in 2006.

Whitehall opened the batting with Mick and Aidan. Mick was first to fall being bowled for 6.
This brought Dave to the crease, and although scoring was slow, Aidan was slowly finding
his feet and playing some lovely shots including a huge cover drive. With Dave being a
counter at the other end. 3 wickets fell in quick succession. Firstly Aidan was unlucky to be
dismissed, when for the 2nd time against Shipley he was caught over the boundary, Quershi
took the catch a good few yards in from the boundary, however his 5 steps after the catch
took him a good way over the boundary and the result should have been 6 runs to
Whitehall, however Aidan was given out. Next to go was Martin for 0, when he over stepped
trying to cover drive Pattion, he was stumped quickly. Then Dave Bond's solid innings came
to an end when Quershi took his second dubious catch of the afternoon, this time off his own
bowling, when the ball appeared to fall short, but unfortunately the decision was given as out.

Whitehall were in a little trouble with only just over 20 on the board for the loss of 4 wickets.
Joe and Paul now had to dig deep and stabilise the innings, and good partnership was
building when Paul looped a catch to square leg for 13, this brought Simon to the crease.
Joe soon followed after being bowled for 17 and Whitehall again were in trouble, 7 wickets
down and good few runs short of their target.

However the pair battled hard with a gritty partnership that took Whitehall to with 2 runs of
victory when Simon played round a straight ball and finished with 17 runs.

This meant Petch came to the crease, but as Simon was dismissed on the final ball of the
over meant Wood faced Pattison. However the 2nd ball of the over was guided through mid
wicket for 4 and Whitehall had got home by 2 wickets.

Overall Whitehall shaded a very evenly balanced game, and we showed excellent battling
spirit to get home.