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Posted on Monday Jul 6 0:00:00 BST 2009 Well, the last two weeks have seen a couple of close games. Our defeat at Strollers was quite a game. Having won the toss on a warm humid afternoon I thought we would make first use of a good looking track. With Windy, Ming and Chucky as a top 3 I was hopeful that we should get a good score first up. Yet how wrong it turned out to be with Windy and Chucky falling early it meant Ming had to ensure the innings did not crumble away. That we managed to post 170 was mainly down the Paul 'buster' Nangle who made a superb maiden fifty in only his second innings for the club. Some more superb bowling from Capser then gave us a chance to win the game, and had we taken the catch on the boundary in the 36th over , and had some luck when the ball clipped the stump but did not remove the bail off Deano's bowling it might have all turned out very differently. 'Buster' looks like a good prospect, so hopefully we will be seeing a few more 'jugs' from him.
This last sunday we took the trip to picturesque Headly CC. We were down to 10 after Windy had to pull out on the morning of the game and with Bliss having withdrawn his availability we were left without a 12th man. For the first time in ages the format was a time game, and we did superb in posting just shy of 250 off around 40 overs. Hippo got us off to a flyer, smashing fifty off just 32 deliveries. But when he fell just after Ming had gone, and JULC followed for a second baller we were up against it. Yet two unsung heros came to the fore - Mells and Turk batted like their lives depended on it and put on a superb 80 odd for the next wicket. Turk was so unlucky to get out, to what seemed clearly a no ball - he deserved a fifty for the way he played the leg spin of Pickering. Meanwhile, after such a lean spell that has brought so much mental torture, it was great to see Mells back in the runs playing with a confidence and freedom that has been lacking for so long. It was also good to 'Cheify' back in the runs - he blasted a quick fire 29 to help us to 249. Another unsung hero came with the ball - its been a long time since 'M Nig' took a wicket, and he returned in style with 3 wickets. Of course no one could keep Casper out of the limelight and he continued his great run of form with the ball in taking yet another 4 wickets - he more then anyone enjoyed the 'time' format and getting more than the usual 8 over spell. Hippo also kept chipping in with wickets and finally JULC returned to bowling. In the end we were unable to lever out the last man and the game ended in a draw, if the game had been 40 overs it may have been a very close finish!, but as it was our total was just a little out of reach for a side more content in preserving their unbeaten record than winning the game. One final point on the game was Casper having yet another hat trick opportunity...having had two at Strollers, the magic 3-in-3 just evaded him once again.
Its good to see so many worthwhile contributions from the whole team - we now have 7 different players who have made 50+ scores this season. The bowling is still dominated by Casper and Hippo but I am sure as we move on we will see more getting their name in the wicket taking column. Availability remains good as we start to approach holiday season, with the new guys starting to settle in, but the test will be in a few weeks time when the school holidays come.
See ya
Skip Posted on Monday Jun 22 0:00:00 BST 2009 Well, it was good to get back to winning ways with an excellent win over Imber Court, who despite missing one of their better bowlers in Dayes were outclassed by us. It was a superb bowling and fielding performance. Of course Pipey's 5 and Hippo's 4 for will grab the headlines but up front Joely and Garsh put the squeeze on the Imber batsmen building pressure and who knows opening the door for those that followed? Once again Deano looked impressive with the ball and was leading the way for us olders ones in the field. But no one let the side down (despite all the banter JULC was getting) and it was great to see us bowl out a good side for the second week in a row in 35 overs. When it came to batting it was a blow to see Ming get out for a bhooner, but then again when its only your 5th one in a career of close on 200 innings then we cant complain. But Joely stood up and yet again showed how he loves playing against Imber - his second half century of the season (in two outings) and both against Imber! Was good to introduce another new member in Paul Nangle to the side and he showed he can hold the bat and hopefully he will be a good addition to the team. Congrats also to Oz who joined the 200 club on sunday - making his 200th appearance joining yours truely, M'Nig, Garsh and Ming - and JULC is close to joining as well!
Of course the previous week we also put in an excellent bowling and fielding performance - with Pipey, Mincey and Deano all picking up 3 wickets a piece as we bowled out a an experienced Byfleet side. Deano also took an outstanding catch that will be up there come the catch of season award. Unfortunately out batting weakness of the day cost us, that a too many extras, but given the team we had out we made a good fist of getting within 12 runs of our target.
We've now got an equal record - 3 wins, 3 defeats so hopefully we can push on and get some more wins - but above all else its a great team spirit at the moment making it enjoyable no matter the result! |
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