Chesterfield recovery at Alvaston and Boulton
by Mike Taylor, 6th May 2003

Having invited the home team to bat first, skipper David Adams lead the way for the Chesterfield attack with his left-arm spin bowling, taking 3-39 as Alvaston and Boulton were restricted to 196 for 8 in their 55 overs. Rahim Karim provided excellent support working up good pace for his 3-46.

Chesterfield found batting difficult and victory seemed unlikely at 55-4 in the 28th over. However Rahim Karim upped the momentum with four boundaries in a rapid 19 and Tim Kirk (pictured) then led the way with 6 fours and a six in an excellent innings of 54. His partnership of 55 with Fran O’Neill put Chesterfield back in the hunt.

Fran took over the reins on Kirk’s departure and in an explosive partnership with Paul Goodwin added 49 runs in only 32 balls to see their side home at 197 for 7. O’Neill’s 48* was peppered with 6 boundaries while Goodwin’s quick-fire 18* included 2 fours and a 6. Chesterfield achieved a victory that had seemed out of reach with three wickets and almost four overs in hand.

Mike Taylor handles publicity at Queen's Park and is the brains behind Chesterfield's match programme which is available at all home games this season. The above report will appear in Chesterfield's next programme this weekend. A review of Chesterfield's first ever match programme will appear on this site later.