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M0nday 30th August – Skipper’s Match Report
After the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat to Carmel, many of us felt down afterwards I’m told. I certainly saw red and then saw another one a bit later.
A strong assortment of troops gathered to prepare the ground by 11 – particular thanks to Fordy & Gray for their work on Sunday too given our concerns about the mower. But thanks to all for getting on with it all so efficiently.
We won the toss and decided to bat – principally as the only time this season we have not (I’m pretty sure) was at Carmel!
Apples & Siv opened and apart from the odd edgy swipe looked much more in sorts this time out. Robinson and O. Ford opened – Owen looking much more consistent, while Robinson was pretty wild and expensive. Apples & Siv got their eye in and soon singles and twos were boundaries. Still they were patient, never looked in real bother and by 20 overs we were 93 without loss. Harwarden were getting quieter and at drinks the call to the bats was to keep going – at nearly 5 an over we were looking good.
By then the first change bowlers were left arm spinnners, so caused a few problems – particularly their No.4 from 18 overs. But bad balls were picked off and first Apples and then Siv reached their 50’s as well as the 100 partnership. Siv clattered a couple of sixes, one looking like it was landing on the table where Will was scoring, but like a scene out of Lord of the Rings it just missed.
On over 32, Siv danced out a little to take one on that turned away and he was stumped for 56. But a good return to form and exactly what we needed.
Tom went in and the next over Apples was bowled on 67, again to one that turned on him. (140-1) A great return to form – in front of the family who had come to watch.(144-2) Skip followed and started getting busy with ones and twos as Tom and him pushed on as best they could. Within an over they were pushing every other ball or so. The strike rate was at about 90 until the last over. Skip was bowled first ball to one that picked out the top of off. (176-3). In came Will who finished not out for one while Tom grabbed another 6 runs in the over to finish not out on 13. Comedy moment being the 3 they ran where Will was lapping Tom having set off in a different time-zone, so lapping him by the second run! 183 all done.
Tea felt comfortable, but we were a little quiet; we didn’t want to choke now.
Tom and Matt opened the bowling. As always it was tight – Tom having 2 maidens and being at 6 runs after 4. In the 5th over he bowled Martin their opener with pace as it ran through to play on. Good scalp. Matt showed his usual good line and length, with a bit of movement, again picking up No3 in his 5th over with a great c&b.
Prashad and Venkat joined after 10. Fielding had been tight and they had got to only 22. Prashad had them in bother from ball 1. One streaky run over the head of Apples and then 3 maidens, including 2 WM. He bowled their left-handed opener and in the next over saw their new bat caught for 0. (Think it was Matt with the catch?)
Venkat meanwhile was doing well but a little more expnsive – a few short deliveries were punished but he kept a good line and length, seeing out his 5 overs for 17 runs. Comedy moment when he bowled a beauty – it bounced, turned and the batsman top edged it for Will to run round and pouch – only to see Venkat had kicked the bails off the stumps in his run up. Dead ball!
Apples was keeping well – only 3 byes for the session – and he stopped plenty down leg with some good reactions. And our fielding was still tight.
At drinks they were 39 for 3. The Maths wasn’t looking good for HPCC and we had removed the three danger men. Could we relax?…
After drinks Prashad continued, continuing to cause real mayhem and only going for 7 runs in his next 4 overs. He finished (9-3-2-9).Some of those a tidy clip to fine leg, where the Box shuddered into action like a rusty tractor so that he could wave Matt on his way past him to the ball.
Skip came on from the other end – keeping it fairly tight and picking up a catch – looped behind for Apples to pouch. 2 overs later a clip to square dropped into Fordy’s lap. Unlike an earlier one he spilled, Fordy was helped by the fact that his pal Martin at SLU was on the phone at the time so couldn’t distract him. Skip also provided a comedy moment himself – or an act of pure commitment in some eyes – by diving across the stumps to stop an over throw and flattening them without regard to obvious personal injury!
The Ford himself then came on at the other end. The batsmen by now were young lads and had not pushed hard at all.
Fordy started the pendulum up and in his first over one bat rashly tried a rare cover drive but found Tom at silly-mid off. After 2 overs for Fordy it was job done for 8 runs.
Back came Tom and Matt. Tom tried hard but could not add a wicket in his 4 overs – not helped by Will at slip who had an edge loop up to him at head height – grabbed, and then trickled down his body and out the back. Definitely a miss!
Matt nearly had another c&b and varied his line & length, adding 11 runs for his 4 overs. We got to the last with HPCCC needing 6 to get a point – and they got it by finally showing some hunger to get on!
A strong performance for us and good to be back to our potential. Of course it’s a massive result for the season – relief all round and we get promoted for sure. Good to see Alex back out, thanks again to all ground crew and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the last game to celebrate!