'Colliery Crack'

[Spinbowler]

WARREN Swan’s first century for Blackhall – on his home debut – lit up what turned out to be something of a bore draw against Hartlepool.
Swan stroked a majestic 128 from 142 balls, an innings laced with classy boundaries and huge sixes as Hall racked up an impressive 239 for 3.
The visitors’ reply was one based on extreme caution and an apparent mission not to lose the game at all costs.
But it was Pool who ultimately paid the penalty, gaining zero points from a drawn game and Hall the full eight as they fell well short of the 75 per cent of runs needed (179) to qualify for bonus points.
While it is fair to say Pool were severely weakened by the loss of opening bowlers Ian Palmer and Ian Jackson – and the loss of star batsman Paul Johnston to Middlesbrough – if ever there was a game to promote the case for scrapping draws, this was it.
A good crowd at Welfare Park dwindled away to next to nothing as the game meandered on.
Michael Gough and Jack Wilkinson put together a stand of 158 for the first wicket and the partnership was only broken with the last ball of the 48th over – with Pool’s victory attempt and amazingly, the 179-draw target, way out of sight.
Wilkinson was stumped by keeper Tony Booth for a patient 62 from 139 balls, with Gough out the very next ball, for 76 from 150.
The most startling fact from the game was that Thara Gunarathne, the Sri Lankan overseas professional and number three bat, made his way to the crease with two overs to go and ended up not facing a single ball as the game petered out to a tame draw – surely some sort of record.
When Hall batted first, Swan smacked 16 fours and four sixes as he chalked up a superb ton.
In partnership with Masood Mirza, the pair put on 142 for the second wicket, after opener John Darby was run out when looking well set.
Tomorrow, Hall travel to Marton looking to chalk up their first win of the new campaign, while Pool are at Park Drive, where they entertain Richmondshire (2pm starts).
BLACKHALL: WC Swan b Gough 128, JI Darby run out 22, M Mirza run out 45, DJ Hickey not out 27, A Booth not out 6. Extras 11, Total 239 for 3.
Bowling: T Gunarathne 0-84, I Hussein 0-38, C Prosser 0-22, MA Gough 1-57, C Harrison 0-28.
HARTLEPOOL: MA Gough c Booth b Cushlow 76, J Wilkinson st Booth b Mirza 62, T Gunarathne not out 0, J Cannon lbw Mirza 1, A Tebbett not out 1. Extras 20, Total 160 for 3.
Bowling: L Cushlow 1-32, J Ward 0-42, M Mirza 2-46, DJ Hickey 0-16, W Swan 0-21.
Match drawn; Blackhall 14 points, Hartlepool four.
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