Sunday 2nd XI Season Report
So the end of the first season back for the Sunday 2nd XI. The aim was mostly to fit in home games when the Development Team didn't have a fixture. Many thanks to Simon Hunter for sorting this all out.
The captaincy was a joint effort between Bobbelar and Dave Vigus with Whatto stepping into the breach when these two old retirees were on holiday at the same time!!
Ten games, three wins, four losses, one abandoned half way through (we would have won!) and two cancelled due to the English summer.
Thirty four different players played and we always had eleven. Rowan Clapp getting there eventually a couple of times! Alcohol was probably to blame.
Two centuries, Matt Smit 133 and Rowan 100. Andrew Ainger two 41's, Billy Rouse a 42 with plenty of other bats getting runs.
Eighteen of our bowlers took wickets with a four'fer for Ainger being the pick. Matt did take 15 wickets but he would wouldn't he?
Hopefully all who played enjoyed it and we can do the same next season, hopefully mostly at home so I can have a beer or three!
So the end of the first season back for the Sunday 2nd XI. The aim was mostly to fit in home games when the Development Team didn't have a fixture. Many thanks to Simon Hunter for sorting this all out.
The captaincy was a joint effort between Bobbelar and Dave Vigus with Whatto stepping into the breach when these two old retirees were on holiday at the same time!!
Ten games, three wins, four losses, one abandoned half way through (we would have won!) and two cancelled due to the English summer.
Thirty four different players played and we always had eleven. Rowan Clapp getting there eventually a couple of times! Alcohol was probably to blame.
Two centuries, Matt Smit 133 and Rowan 100. Andrew Ainger two 41's, Billy Rouse a 42 with plenty of other bats getting runs.
Eighteen of our bowlers took wickets with a four'fer for Ainger being the pick. Matt did take 15 wickets but he would wouldn't he?
Hopefully all who played enjoyed it and we can do the same next season, hopefully mostly at home so I can have a beer or three!
HSBC Sunday (2) 243 - 3. (37.3 overs) OD Cuaco Sunday (2) 242 - 5 (40 overs)
Skipper won the toss with a very strong eleven and decided to bat. The pre innings team was he told them to get 300 in the forty overs!!
Abishek 21, Smitty 25, Clappy 100, Webby 32, Bondy 24 the Sam Parke 13* and Billy 1* allowed us to get a formidable total.
After tea the returning Simon 8-0-40-0 and Robin East 3-1-11-0 gave us a tidy start. Smitty getting a brilliant run out and the oppo were 4-1 in the fourth over. Robin had to stop bowling after pulling a muscle, his age is getting the better of him even those he is a Peter Pan!
The problem was their three decided to score 156 not out and put on 205 for the 2nd wicket. That we dropped him in the 20's, 30's and finally on 44 probably didn't help us!
He took to all of our bowlers, Webby 8-0-42-0, Billy 8-0-51-0, Smitty 8-0-55-1, Clappy 2-0-24-0 and Abi the swoop 0.3-0-5-0. All bowlers kept at it but the bat rode his luck superbly.
On a hot afternoon the fielders kept at it, the only problems was the ball was like a magnet to the skipper which helped their run rate. Dave Vigus getting a good stumping and Webby another excellent run out.
Skipper won the toss with a very strong eleven and decided to bat. The pre innings team was he told them to get 300 in the forty overs!!
Abishek 21, Smitty 25, Clappy 100, Webby 32, Bondy 24 the Sam Parke 13* and Billy 1* allowed us to get a formidable total.
After tea the returning Simon 8-0-40-0 and Robin East 3-1-11-0 gave us a tidy start. Smitty getting a brilliant run out and the oppo were 4-1 in the fourth over. Robin had to stop bowling after pulling a muscle, his age is getting the better of him even those he is a Peter Pan!
The problem was their three decided to score 156 not out and put on 205 for the 2nd wicket. That we dropped him in the 20's, 30's and finally on 44 probably didn't help us!
He took to all of our bowlers, Webby 8-0-42-0, Billy 8-0-51-0, Smitty 8-0-55-1, Clappy 2-0-24-0 and Abi the swoop 0.3-0-5-0. All bowlers kept at it but the bat rode his luck superbly.
On a hot afternoon the fielders kept at it, the only problems was the ball was like a magnet to the skipper which helped their run rate. Dave Vigus getting a good stumping and Webby another excellent run out.
Sunday Friendly XI Away v. RACS 13th July 2014
Scorecard
Our skipper Bob Lake won the toss on a sunny afternoon and elected to bat in a 40 over game. The pitch itself had a rather strange appearance - generally brownish with yellowy-green tinges for most of its length but with a bizarre bright green square patch about 1.5 x 1.5 metres in size on a full length at one end. Long boundaries on both sides and longish grass on the outfield made it look as if fours might be hard to come by, and so it proved with our top order, apart from Rowan Clapp (78), struggling to make runs. The shot of the day was a magnificent six from Rowan which cleared the huge boundary by some distance. Our eventual total of 176-7 looked to be about 30 under par unless we could quickly remove RACS' danger man Harry Purbrick, who in our two prior friendlies against them last season and this season had scored 83* and 77.
James Alvey (3-23) and Cameron Sanders (1-28) bowled very fast and accurately creating quite a few problems for their batsmen but without being able to dismiss our nemesis, who finished unbeaten on 104*out of RACS' total of 180-4 after 37.4 overs. They were well supported by Billy Rouse, Rowan Clapp and Ross Bond. At one point Toby Webster shattered the wicket with a brilliant throw having only one stump to aim at, which, on another day, may well have led to Harry P being given run out but it was not to be. His average against us for the last three encounters is now 264! If we can figure out how to get this guy out we might one day have a chance of beating RACS.
Scorecard
Our skipper Bob Lake won the toss on a sunny afternoon and elected to bat in a 40 over game. The pitch itself had a rather strange appearance - generally brownish with yellowy-green tinges for most of its length but with a bizarre bright green square patch about 1.5 x 1.5 metres in size on a full length at one end. Long boundaries on both sides and longish grass on the outfield made it look as if fours might be hard to come by, and so it proved with our top order, apart from Rowan Clapp (78), struggling to make runs. The shot of the day was a magnificent six from Rowan which cleared the huge boundary by some distance. Our eventual total of 176-7 looked to be about 30 under par unless we could quickly remove RACS' danger man Harry Purbrick, who in our two prior friendlies against them last season and this season had scored 83* and 77.
James Alvey (3-23) and Cameron Sanders (1-28) bowled very fast and accurately creating quite a few problems for their batsmen but without being able to dismiss our nemesis, who finished unbeaten on 104*out of RACS' total of 180-4 after 37.4 overs. They were well supported by Billy Rouse, Rowan Clapp and Ross Bond. At one point Toby Webster shattered the wicket with a brilliant throw having only one stump to aim at, which, on another day, may well have led to Harry P being given run out but it was not to be. His average against us for the last three encounters is now 264! If we can figure out how to get this guy out we might one day have a chance of beating RACS.
Sunday 2s win against Kashmir by five wickets
Scorecard
A very warm day day at the home of cricket saw John our captain win the toss and put the opposition in to bat. A few murmurings from some of our players who would have liked first use of a slow but even pitch.
Billy and Rohan opened the bowling. Kashmir's batsmen went after anything which wasn't of perfect line and length and they raced to about 42 from the first 6 or 7 overs. Billy bore the brunt of this assault, but he took the first wicket with the aid of a perfectly judged catch from your correspondent which no one of the ground (especially the batsman) expected me to take. I was told that as the ball was descending from a great height the batsman said 'no chance'. It was his unlucky day.
John brought on Callum Nicol, who after a few early wides settled down and bowled at a pace which was not appreciated by the batsmen. The opener who thrived on Billy's extra pace became almost strokeless. Callum conceded only 12 runs from his five overs but unfortunately he felt unwell in the heat and had to retire to the pavilion.
Rohan didn't take a wicket but his 8 overs went for only 10 runs. He was replaced by 'round the wicket' Matt, who turned to over the wicket Matt after he was swept for a few fours and twos, but that didn't stop the sweeper. Matt picked up 3 wickets for 30 in his 8 overs and dismissed the sweeper who made 34 which was Kashmir's highest score of their innings.
Their number three was run out from a good pick up and throw by Luke and number two was run out by Eshan.
Parkerman and Luke entertained us with their bowling for 6 overs and with well set fields only went for 26 runs from their combined 6 overs. Liam was kept busy at deep square leg and made some excellent pick ups and throws. Parkerman bamboozled their number 4 who had so much time to play the ball that he forgot to hit it and the ball was just about fast enough to dislodge a bail.
Billy replaced Luke. The skipper replaced Matt and they finished off Kashmir's innings with a couple of LBWs.
155 all out from 35.2 overs. A good performance from us after Kashmir's bullet start.
An excellent tea and what more could you ask for than your correspondent and Eashan opening the batting. I didn't last very long (LBW again) and was replaced by Liam, who was, as they say adjudged LBW for 5.
'I can't hit the ball' Bondy joined Eashan and a good steady partnership with some good running took us to drinks at 20 overs needing about 95 to win.Kashmir's appealing (if not always considered) was enthusiastic with deep square leg especially to the fore. Bondy, going down the pitch managed to play on and was out for 20. Andy joined Eashan with about 5 runs an over being the required rate. Eashan reached a well deserved 50. The highlight being a sumptuous cover drive for four. Andy hit a couple of workmanlike fours. Sumptuous and Andy don't go together. Eashan was caught behind for 51 and Matt immediately showed his class with a whipped shot off his legs first ball to the square leg boundary. A single to get to the other end and then a big six over long on. Andy was LBW for 11 which was the sixth LBW of the match. By then the match was almost won and Matt ended it with another boundary. 32 not out for Matt in no time and a comfortable win by 5 wickets with 8 overs remaining.
May I also say a special thank you to Callum's mum and dad who helped us out with getting the teas ready and did much of the clearing up and cleaning afterwards. Very much appreciated.
Scorecard
A very warm day day at the home of cricket saw John our captain win the toss and put the opposition in to bat. A few murmurings from some of our players who would have liked first use of a slow but even pitch.
Billy and Rohan opened the bowling. Kashmir's batsmen went after anything which wasn't of perfect line and length and they raced to about 42 from the first 6 or 7 overs. Billy bore the brunt of this assault, but he took the first wicket with the aid of a perfectly judged catch from your correspondent which no one of the ground (especially the batsman) expected me to take. I was told that as the ball was descending from a great height the batsman said 'no chance'. It was his unlucky day.
John brought on Callum Nicol, who after a few early wides settled down and bowled at a pace which was not appreciated by the batsmen. The opener who thrived on Billy's extra pace became almost strokeless. Callum conceded only 12 runs from his five overs but unfortunately he felt unwell in the heat and had to retire to the pavilion.
Rohan didn't take a wicket but his 8 overs went for only 10 runs. He was replaced by 'round the wicket' Matt, who turned to over the wicket Matt after he was swept for a few fours and twos, but that didn't stop the sweeper. Matt picked up 3 wickets for 30 in his 8 overs and dismissed the sweeper who made 34 which was Kashmir's highest score of their innings.
Their number three was run out from a good pick up and throw by Luke and number two was run out by Eshan.
Parkerman and Luke entertained us with their bowling for 6 overs and with well set fields only went for 26 runs from their combined 6 overs. Liam was kept busy at deep square leg and made some excellent pick ups and throws. Parkerman bamboozled their number 4 who had so much time to play the ball that he forgot to hit it and the ball was just about fast enough to dislodge a bail.
Billy replaced Luke. The skipper replaced Matt and they finished off Kashmir's innings with a couple of LBWs.
155 all out from 35.2 overs. A good performance from us after Kashmir's bullet start.
An excellent tea and what more could you ask for than your correspondent and Eashan opening the batting. I didn't last very long (LBW again) and was replaced by Liam, who was, as they say adjudged LBW for 5.
'I can't hit the ball' Bondy joined Eashan and a good steady partnership with some good running took us to drinks at 20 overs needing about 95 to win.Kashmir's appealing (if not always considered) was enthusiastic with deep square leg especially to the fore. Bondy, going down the pitch managed to play on and was out for 20. Andy joined Eashan with about 5 runs an over being the required rate. Eashan reached a well deserved 50. The highlight being a sumptuous cover drive for four. Andy hit a couple of workmanlike fours. Sumptuous and Andy don't go together. Eashan was caught behind for 51 and Matt immediately showed his class with a whipped shot off his legs first ball to the square leg boundary. A single to get to the other end and then a big six over long on. Andy was LBW for 11 which was the sixth LBW of the match. By then the match was almost won and Matt ended it with another boundary. 32 not out for Matt in no time and a comfortable win by 5 wickets with 8 overs remaining.
May I also say a special thank you to Callum's mum and dad who helped us out with getting the teas ready and did much of the clearing up and cleaning afterwards. Very much appreciated.
Sunday Friendly v. RACS 25th May 2014
Scorecard
All my nightmares from the past when I was a team captain for more years than I care to remember came back to haunt me this week. Having selected 11 on Wednesday from those declaring themselves as available, we were soon down to 10 ("sorry I didn't mean to put 'Yes' on Teamer") by which time the unselected players had arranged to do something else on Sunday afternoon. Andy Rouse quickly found me another player, only for two others to change their original declaration of availability. After a lot of e-mails, texts and phone calls I found one more player bringing us back to 10. By a quirk of fate RACS too only turned up with 10.
RACS won the toss and decided to field, but aside from Rowan Clapp (40), Andy Parker (28) and a late burst from Andrew Ainger (41) our batting performance was very lack-lustre with no-one else managing to get into double figures. We were all out for an under par 157 with four balls of our 40 overs remaining. It was slightly surprising in a friendly match to see all eight fielders on the rope in an effort to restrict Rowan's and Andrew's flurry of boundaries.
After another splendid tea (thank you again, Lynne), we saw a new side to Andrew Ainger (1-22) who opened the bowling with pace and accuracy, well supported by Adam Stagg (1-18). Billy Rouse, Matt Smith (1-29), Rowan Clapp and Andrew Ainger, when reverting later to spin, all bowled well but we didn't have the best of luck particularly with a couple of close LBW decisions and a freak occurrence off Adam's bowling when the whole team except for me went up for a catch behind following a distinct wooden snick. The umpire correctly ruled not out as he had seen the ball clearly miss the bat. In fact it had nicked the outside of the off stump on its way through to the 'keeper without dislodging the bails! However, even if things had gone our way, we didn't deserve to win after our poor batting performance. In the field everyone kept trying hard right up to the end with Ross Bond and Matt Smit each taking an excellent catch.
Congratulations to RACS on a well-deserved victory by 7 wickets.
Come back Bob, we need you!
Scorecard
All my nightmares from the past when I was a team captain for more years than I care to remember came back to haunt me this week. Having selected 11 on Wednesday from those declaring themselves as available, we were soon down to 10 ("sorry I didn't mean to put 'Yes' on Teamer") by which time the unselected players had arranged to do something else on Sunday afternoon. Andy Rouse quickly found me another player, only for two others to change their original declaration of availability. After a lot of e-mails, texts and phone calls I found one more player bringing us back to 10. By a quirk of fate RACS too only turned up with 10.
RACS won the toss and decided to field, but aside from Rowan Clapp (40), Andy Parker (28) and a late burst from Andrew Ainger (41) our batting performance was very lack-lustre with no-one else managing to get into double figures. We were all out for an under par 157 with four balls of our 40 overs remaining. It was slightly surprising in a friendly match to see all eight fielders on the rope in an effort to restrict Rowan's and Andrew's flurry of boundaries.
After another splendid tea (thank you again, Lynne), we saw a new side to Andrew Ainger (1-22) who opened the bowling with pace and accuracy, well supported by Adam Stagg (1-18). Billy Rouse, Matt Smith (1-29), Rowan Clapp and Andrew Ainger, when reverting later to spin, all bowled well but we didn't have the best of luck particularly with a couple of close LBW decisions and a freak occurrence off Adam's bowling when the whole team except for me went up for a catch behind following a distinct wooden snick. The umpire correctly ruled not out as he had seen the ball clearly miss the bat. In fact it had nicked the outside of the off stump on its way through to the 'keeper without dislodging the bails! However, even if things had gone our way, we didn't deserve to win after our poor batting performance. In the field everyone kept trying hard right up to the end with Ross Bond and Matt Smit each taking an excellent catch.
Congratulations to RACS on a well-deserved victory by 7 wickets.
Come back Bob, we need you!
OD Cuaco 211-7, Kashmir 212-9
Scorecard
Conventional wisdom, at least according to professional sportsmen and football club managers, is to try to take positives from defeat. But it's quite a struggle to do that when you lose a match which you had looked almost certain to win. Anyway here goes:
* The teas were wonderful - thank you very much Lynne
* The weather was magnificent
* The match actually started a few minutes early, which is a first in my experience
* The ODCCC players did everything needed in terms of preparation, umpiring, scoring and tidying up after the game. It was just a pity that the bar was shut by the time we had finished so I couldn't buy any of them a drink
* It was a very exciting finish, with Kashmir winning by one wicket off the last ball of the penultimate over
* There were some very good individual performances with bat and ball, but the champagne moment had to be the catch taken by Matt Smit running round the boundary, realising as he caught the ball that his momentum was going to take him over the rope, throwing the ball in the air, and stepping back across the rope into the field of play to complete the catch. Magnificent!
Having agreed a 40 over match and winning the toss, I decided to bat. With the score at 18-0 after the end of the first over things seemed to be going rather well. I multiplied 18 by 40 and arrived at a very large number indeed. It was interesting to watch Rowan Clapp's technique which was built round hitting the first five balls of each over as hard as possible and then taking a single off the last ball, which explains why his opening partner didn't contribute many runs to our opening stand of just under 50. Rowan made an excellent 49, falling just short of what would have been a well-deserved half century. Matt Smit, Ross Bond and Billy Rouse made good contributions but unfortunately all got themselves out when well set without going on to make a really big score. Russell Egan-Wyer and Andy Ainger helped at the end of the innings to push our total up to a respectable 211-7. One quirky fact is that extras were the second highest scorer for both sides with byes and wides featuring rather too heavily.
Our quicker bowlers lacked control perhaps unsettled a bit by Kashmir's opening right-hander/left-hander combination, so I brought the spinners on early which tightened things up and led to Matt's great catch. Andy Ainger (4-26) was the pick of our bowlers, and the luckless Rohan Patel (1-32) and Matt Smit (2-34) both bowled well too. With four overs to go I was quietly confident of victory with Kashmir needing 28 and their last wicket pair at the crease. It was a racing certainty that neither of those two batsmen had ever been coached in the art of batting, but they did the right thing throwing caution to the winds and their bats at the ball - and it came off, leading to an unlikely but deserved victory to our visitors.
Scorecard
Conventional wisdom, at least according to professional sportsmen and football club managers, is to try to take positives from defeat. But it's quite a struggle to do that when you lose a match which you had looked almost certain to win. Anyway here goes:
* The teas were wonderful - thank you very much Lynne
* The weather was magnificent
* The match actually started a few minutes early, which is a first in my experience
* The ODCCC players did everything needed in terms of preparation, umpiring, scoring and tidying up after the game. It was just a pity that the bar was shut by the time we had finished so I couldn't buy any of them a drink
* It was a very exciting finish, with Kashmir winning by one wicket off the last ball of the penultimate over
* There were some very good individual performances with bat and ball, but the champagne moment had to be the catch taken by Matt Smit running round the boundary, realising as he caught the ball that his momentum was going to take him over the rope, throwing the ball in the air, and stepping back across the rope into the field of play to complete the catch. Magnificent!
Having agreed a 40 over match and winning the toss, I decided to bat. With the score at 18-0 after the end of the first over things seemed to be going rather well. I multiplied 18 by 40 and arrived at a very large number indeed. It was interesting to watch Rowan Clapp's technique which was built round hitting the first five balls of each over as hard as possible and then taking a single off the last ball, which explains why his opening partner didn't contribute many runs to our opening stand of just under 50. Rowan made an excellent 49, falling just short of what would have been a well-deserved half century. Matt Smit, Ross Bond and Billy Rouse made good contributions but unfortunately all got themselves out when well set without going on to make a really big score. Russell Egan-Wyer and Andy Ainger helped at the end of the innings to push our total up to a respectable 211-7. One quirky fact is that extras were the second highest scorer for both sides with byes and wides featuring rather too heavily.
Our quicker bowlers lacked control perhaps unsettled a bit by Kashmir's opening right-hander/left-hander combination, so I brought the spinners on early which tightened things up and led to Matt's great catch. Andy Ainger (4-26) was the pick of our bowlers, and the luckless Rohan Patel (1-32) and Matt Smit (2-34) both bowled well too. With four overs to go I was quietly confident of victory with Kashmir needing 28 and their last wicket pair at the crease. It was a racing certainty that neither of those two batsmen had ever been coached in the art of batting, but they did the right thing throwing caution to the winds and their bats at the ball - and it came off, leading to an unlikely but deserved victory to our visitors.
Catford Cyphers 161 all out.
OD Cuaco Sunday Friendly 162 - 3
Scorecard
A short trip to Forest Hill and the reluctant skip lost the toss and Cyphers decided to bat. Our opening bowlers, Nick (cricket) Worsley and Taylor Emblen both started well and were rewarded. Nick after a brilliant catch from Matt Smit and Taylor from a bowled. Nick took a further wicket bowling their four. On came Matt who bowled a juicy full toss and what looked six all the way was well taken by Taylor.
Then Billy Rouse came on his bowling got better as his spell went on so much so that the skipper was even in on a catch which for a change he held! Adrian Banyard was the fifth bowler and he took the last wicket.
All bowled well and their figures were Worsley 2-37, Emblen 1-36, Smit 3-30, Rouse 3-34 and Banyard 1-14. The fielding was sharp with no dropped catches and the pick were Liam Osborne, Stephen Smith and Dave Vigus behind the stumps.
So chasing 162 to win Andy Ainger (41) and Billy (42) put on 74 for the first wicket. A small flurry of three wickets with Matt (43 NO) and Parkerman (14 NO) saw us home with eight and a half overs left.
This skipper with two games and two wins can do no wrong!!
OD Cuaco Sunday Friendly 162 - 3
Scorecard
A short trip to Forest Hill and the reluctant skip lost the toss and Cyphers decided to bat. Our opening bowlers, Nick (cricket) Worsley and Taylor Emblen both started well and were rewarded. Nick after a brilliant catch from Matt Smit and Taylor from a bowled. Nick took a further wicket bowling their four. On came Matt who bowled a juicy full toss and what looked six all the way was well taken by Taylor.
Then Billy Rouse came on his bowling got better as his spell went on so much so that the skipper was even in on a catch which for a change he held! Adrian Banyard was the fifth bowler and he took the last wicket.
All bowled well and their figures were Worsley 2-37, Emblen 1-36, Smit 3-30, Rouse 3-34 and Banyard 1-14. The fielding was sharp with no dropped catches and the pick were Liam Osborne, Stephen Smith and Dave Vigus behind the stumps.
So chasing 162 to win Andy Ainger (41) and Billy (42) put on 74 for the first wicket. A small flurry of three wickets with Matt (43 NO) and Parkerman (14 NO) saw us home with eight and a half overs left.
This skipper with two games and two wins can do no wrong!!
OD Cuaco 243 - 8. Earlswood Strollers 193 - 8
Scorecard
New season new skipper for the Sunday Friendly team. Toss won so decided to bat. Batting order decided by the fact that those that hadn't played Saturday would bat before those that had already had a go.
We opened with Parkerman (9) and Taylor (18). Parkerman out first and then Taylor meant our new overseas Matt Smit (133) and Rowan (5) were at the wicket. Matt whose first taste of English batting the day before resulted in a first ball duck nervously felt he had a point to prove and he did big style!!
He was joined by Ben Smith (28) and their partnership got us back on track. Stephen Smith got a shooter that had him LBW and U15 Jake Owen (5) helped Matt along. Bob (12 n o) the reluctant skip then joined Matt and in the partnership of 71 he contributed the huge total of 4!! Matt hit eleven sixes most of them with the skip showing what a brilliant motivator he is!
Johnny Mac (16 n o) then faced a few balls with a six and four in them.
When we bowled young Jake Owens figures of 2 - 17 off 8 were the pick. Add to this Johnny Mac 1 - 48, Taylor 1- 24, Matt 2 - 27, Rowan 1- 34, Ben Smith 1 - 26 so all off the bowlers got wickets.
In the fielding Bob the skip and Stephen Smith both dropped dollies but Taylor three catches, one a 'beast' and Johnny Mac a very good effort meant we crossed the line fifty runs clear of a good team.
In the field Dave Vigus, Sam Parke, Taylor, Ben Smith and Johnny Mac all excelled.
Scorecard
New season new skipper for the Sunday Friendly team. Toss won so decided to bat. Batting order decided by the fact that those that hadn't played Saturday would bat before those that had already had a go.
We opened with Parkerman (9) and Taylor (18). Parkerman out first and then Taylor meant our new overseas Matt Smit (133) and Rowan (5) were at the wicket. Matt whose first taste of English batting the day before resulted in a first ball duck nervously felt he had a point to prove and he did big style!!
He was joined by Ben Smith (28) and their partnership got us back on track. Stephen Smith got a shooter that had him LBW and U15 Jake Owen (5) helped Matt along. Bob (12 n o) the reluctant skip then joined Matt and in the partnership of 71 he contributed the huge total of 4!! Matt hit eleven sixes most of them with the skip showing what a brilliant motivator he is!
Johnny Mac (16 n o) then faced a few balls with a six and four in them.
When we bowled young Jake Owens figures of 2 - 17 off 8 were the pick. Add to this Johnny Mac 1 - 48, Taylor 1- 24, Matt 2 - 27, Rowan 1- 34, Ben Smith 1 - 26 so all off the bowlers got wickets.
In the fielding Bob the skip and Stephen Smith both dropped dollies but Taylor three catches, one a 'beast' and Johnny Mac a very good effort meant we crossed the line fifty runs clear of a good team.
In the field Dave Vigus, Sam Parke, Taylor, Ben Smith and Johnny Mac all excelled.