One of the most popular sons of the West End fittingly snapped up the catch which sealed this impressive victory after importantly grinding out what is surely a landmark maiden 50 at first team level.

 

Wicket-keeper Sam Tucker epitomises the sheer likeability and genuine desire to do well of this remarkable emerging side and while he sometimes seems to have been around forever after making his senior debut age about four or so, there was no mistaking the tangible outpouring of genuine affection and pleasure from supporters, team-mates and maybe, for once, even opposition, which greeted his maiden half-century - brought up in some style with perhaps an uncharacteristic but joyously-received hit for six.

 

Tucker stayed at the crease for two hours plus in a watchful vigil.

 

His partnership of 93 with 16-year-old "old-head-on-young-shoulders" Levi Wolfenden - now a seasoned 50-maker with three batting collections to his name after a fine 54 here - reconstructed an innings which looked headed for ruins at 9 for two with pro Luke Woodcock out.

 

Having finally made the step "over the line" surely there is no reason why Sam can't become a regular source of fifties - I well remember one bloke called Martin Heyes taking ages to chalk up his first then scoring two more in no time. Wonder what became of him?

 

And Philip Gilrane's gamble in promoting the sometime number 11 glovesman  - 38 league runs all season a fortnight ago - to open the innings after his battling 40 at Nelson last week paid off handsomely.

 

This wasn't quite the kind of  victory-from-jaws-of-defeat back-from-the-dead affair which has so typifed Church's season of wonder wins, but the boys had to dig themselves out of a fair-sized hole to set up a second double of the campaign. Not only did they lose two key wickets early on in the piece, they also overcame the loss of their main and most reliable strike bowler through injury after managing just four deliveries in pain.

 

Make no mistake Tod were out to avenge the Centre Vale defeat of a fortnight ago and the Yorkshiremen, smarting from their Worsley Cup Final loss last week still harbour title aspirations.

 

But after a calamitous start, Gilrane's side again showed the spirit, togetherness and will to succeed which has seen their collective performance far exceed the apparent sum of their individual parts.

 

After Sam Holt's early exit the last thing Church needed was Luke Woodcock finding a new way to get out - suicidally run out after a few hairy escapades in company with Tucker - but a direct hit saw the Kiwi depart for another disappointing effort.

 

Everyone knows that we haven't seen the best of Luke yet but despite his lack of scores and the pro saga in general we still stand 5th and if Luke can finish the season with the kind of flurry of runs we all know he is well capable of, there is  plenty to play for and achieve all round. 

 

Tucker (Three 4's and that historic six) and Levi (Eight 4's and a maximum) patiently rebuilt and some quickfire contributions from Sag Hussain (18), Phil Gilrane (29 not out) and Alec Holt (10 not out) helped add 43 from the last 5 overs to burst through the 200 barrier. There is no overstating though the maturity which Wolfenden demonstrates in presenting his indefatigable brand of resistance to an attack with the wind in their sails.

 

Unfazed by a few play-and-misses, he waits and bides his time then puts the bad ball away and displays maturity unfathomably beyond his tender years.

 

Tod were still fancying themselves at the break and set off at a fair lick and they got a fillip when Andy Bentley was unable to complete his opening over.

 

Levi though trapped Ben Sutcliffe then claimed the prized scalp of Simon Newbit as he lofted into Woodcock's bucket-like hands - off you pop, son.

 

Luke had his opposite number Jayasinghe caught behind and it looked to be Church's game until a fine stand of 82 between Nick Barker and Andrew Sutcliffe really put the outcome in the balance.

 

But with around 75 required off 15 overs Sutcliffe skied Sam Holt to Liam Brankin - Liam's confident take epitomising the team ethic, a lad who neither batted nor bowled making a pivotal contribution by pouching a vital catch.

 

Tod skipper Henderson popped a return catch to Luke and though Barker was batting splendidly, panic took a grip and as pressure mounted, Tod unbelievably gave up three wickets to run outs in consecutive Woodcock overs, the last one Barker  failing to make his ground to effectively end their ambitions of winning.

 

Phil Sykes will seldom have been recorded as "Did Not Bat" at no 10 during his illustrious career but it wasn't a completely idle afternoon for the veteran - "Jonty" Sykes was responsible for the throw which effected one of those three run-outs.

 

Bux gave Luke another opportunity to show catching expertise and Tucker clasped an edge off Campbell to round off an impressive and comprehensive 50-run margin triumph.

 

Wonderful stuff - and with seven games to go and the pro surely due to hit his straps, a genuinely lofty place in the table is a real possibility.

 

On a personal note, my fellow scorer was a grand bloke, fair-minded, gracious in defeat and personable to the last, just thought I ought to point that out after my rant two weeks back!