Young bowler Charlie Banks’ picked up a hat-trick as Sileby Town Under defeated Shepshed Messengers by six wickets in the U17’s North West League Group B Division.
The 15 year-old comprehensively removed Shepshed’s tailend batsman in fashionable style, removing the bails in all three dismissals as Shepshed finished up on just 54 in the 17th over.
After winning the toss, James Preston stuck the opposition in to bat and the decision paid dividends with Fred Notman and Jacob Smith opening the bowling and conceding very little runs in their opening spell between them.
However, with Notman and Smith going wicketless despite their tidy start, it was Patrick Dudley who made the breakthrough, removing Goy (9) after he picked out George Smith at mid-on.
Adam Hackett then picked up Booth (1), clean bowling the number three, leaving Shepshed on 22-2 in the ninth over.
Dudley was at it again, this time clearing up the opener Thacker (7), putting the visitors in bit of turmoil with just ten overs remaining. He eventually went on to complete his four overs, conceding just ten runs in a pleasing bowling spell.
Hat-trick hero Banks’ first over will be one to forget though as he went for 13 as Messenger’s look to add runs on to the board. However, it was halted when George Smith dismissed Evans (10) and Parker (11) in his first over.
But it was Bank’s second over that was the highlight of the game. Spencer (3), Laver (0) and McKenzie (0) all succumbed to the junior’s full pitch delivery as he bowled all three in spectacular style, much to the jubilation of his team mates who congratulated him on his efforts.
He picked up the final wicket of Newton (0) as Messengers finished on 54 all out after Barson (0) found Notman at short extra cover off the bowling of Nathan Preston with his first delivery.
Banks’ finished up with the figures of 2.3-0-15-4, and he as well as the team can be proud of their bowling performances today (Monday).
Sileby’s chase was lead by M Godhania (4) and Rob Scullion, but a mix up in communications and Godhania’s slip allowed Messengers to pick up their first wicket as the opener failed to return home, gifting the away side a run out.
Cameron Gilchrist was given the opportunity at three to build a partnership with Scullion (2) before he too was run out coming back for a second.
Sileby found themselves at 16-2 in the sixth over when Fred Notman came in at number four. Notman got off to a comfortable start along with Gilchrist (7), but left arm seamer Booth dismissed the latter, removing his bails for just seven. Notman (7) fell victim to Booth with the same delivery and with just nine overs remaining, the home side still required 21 as they were 34-4 when Hackett and James Preston came to the crease.
But ill-discipline bowling and 21 extras by Messengers was enough to see Sileby over the finishing line. Hackett finished up on 11* and Preston 3* as the hosts won with six overs remaining.
Charlie Banks’ has now two hat-tricks to his name, following up from last season and he will be looking to do the same next week as Sileby face local rivals Barrow, away.
