Ninth-wicket pair hang on to earn losing draw

Hucknall 1sts hung on for a losing draw at Plumtree in the Notts Premier League after a disappointing bowling performance left them far too much to do with the bat.
Matt New and Robin Maxwell.Matt New and Robin Maxwell.
Matt New and Robin Maxwell.

The visitors made a terrible start to the reply and were reduced to 18 for three in pursuit of Plumtree’s 264 for nine, but late determination earned a batting point and the draw.

Robin Maxwell, who made his first club half-century of the season in a Sunday match the previous week, scored his first Premier League half-century of the season.

Hucknall won the toss, put Plumtree in and got an early wicket as Keith Dudgeon had Chris Gibson well caught by Matt New in the gully.

Saad Ashraf and Oliver Soames put on rapid runs although Dudgeon was unlucky as he beat the edge a number of times.

Suhail Ahmed bowled Soames and New and Jake Libby slowed the scoring rate, dismissing the two current county professionals, Matt Milnes and Graeme White, cheaply.

New conceded just 29 off his 12 overs before Hucknall claimed a ninth wicket for full bowling points.

Dudgeon claimed two for 62, took three catches and affected a run out.

The run-chase began badly when Libby was out for a duck in the second over.

The innings was held together by New and Maxwell.

New made 44, including striking two sixes off Sam Wood.

Maxwell hit 53 not out, including five fours and a six, and a vital unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 34 with Harry Finch (six not out off 38 balls) gained the extra points as the visitors closed on 158 for eight.