KMCC steal victory
A KMCC side depleted by the loss of Ranatunga and the Fraser twins took on a Lofthouse side buoyed by their recent victory over title chasing Ripley. On one of the few hot days of the season KMCC lost the toss and looked set for a long day in the field as a careful approach from the Lofthouse openers steadily accrued their runs. The introduction of Hooks paid dividends however and although KMCC never looked like despatching the entire line-up a one man bowling display of 6-22 resulted in the score being restricted to a meagre 150-7.
Renowned for their inability to chase a total, KM looked to have cracked it at last as the score raced to 40-0 from 8 overs however the collapse that followed nearly took the game away amid a mad mid innings period. Six quick wickets fell to a combination of rash shots aimed towards the appealing short boundary and grass cutters on a rapidly deteriorating wicket and at 60-6 the game seemed up. However, not for the first time Goldsmith excelled in the dales with a flawless 28no in partnership with the skipper who rode his luck for a quick-fire 44 including a huge six into the nearby river bed. By the time Bradley fell only 12 runs were required and the danger had passed - it seemed apt that match winners Goldsmith and Hooks were at the crease to see Kirkby home by a mere 3 wickets.