Kings CC vs. Surrey Cryptics CC

 

Kings CC vs. Surrey Cryptics CC

Sunday 16th May 2010

Match drawn

 

In what was Kings first actual home game of the season saw them entertain new opponents in Surrey Cryptics. With disappointing weather once again coming on a sunday the match was played in conditions less than ideal with scattered showers being an unwelcome addition to a cool day. In a time game the visitors once the toss and elected to bowl first. Kings were missing talented batsmen Perry, Warne and Miah, whilst short of bowling with the likes of Sones, Gale, Daye and the aforementioned Miah and Warne all unavailable

 

The opening overs saw the bowlers dominate as Nihill and Edwards found some movement off both the pitch and in the air. Despite conceeding 11 runs in his first two overs Edwards then reeled off three maidens, whilst Nihill gave up just four runs in as many overs. With the ball popping off the pitch Nihill brought in a short leg, and makeshift opener and Vice Captain Paul Bygrave in trying to ensure the close fielder did not come into play opted for the off side but ended up offering a tame catch to cover (16-1) By the 10th over King had just 17 runs on the board and Nihill had the impressive figures of 1 for 4 off 6 overs. Edwards was rested and replaced by Grindrod. The next wicket was self inflicted as Miller pulled a short pull straight to square leg, who fumbled but recovered well to shy at the stumps at the bowlers end and Millers run on the miss field proved to be ill fated when the throw hit direct (30-2). Nangle's miss timed shot saw him pick out a fielder as he was dismissed for his first duck for Kings  (40-3) The scoring had ground to a halt as Grindrod reeled off 7 overs for the cost of just a single run, whilst also picking up the wicket of Melligan, caught behind first ball after the drinks break (40-4). After 22 overs Kings had these 40 runs on the board and with all the top four batsmen dismissed. However there was a mini revival as Wright and Pipe started to break free but Grindrod picked up his second wicket when Wright was caught (63-5). Things started to improve for Kings when Pipe was joined by Mears, with some fine runing mixed with some good boundaries, Pipe driving well and Mears as usual putting the sweep to good use, saw the score past the 100 mark in the 35th over. However Mears was adjudged leg before to Cupit (108-6) and despite a couple of well struck boundaries Tighe fell shortly after (117-7). The rapid accleration Kings really needed followed when Pipe was joined by Inwood - these two when on an aggressive assault of the bowling, the first over from the returning Nihill going for 13 runs - compared to the 13 conceeded in his previous 8 overs. Some lusty blows from Pipe seemed to be taking him to a well deserved half century, unfortunately he edge Nihill behind and fell two runs short (140-8). More quick runs followed from Inwood, before in trying to manufacture a single, he reverse swept Seeckts into the point fielders hands (148-9). Skipper Young and last man Smith took the score to 156 before the rain became to heavy to continue. Tea was taken, the covers put in place and the innings resumned afterwards but it took only 3 balls for Nihill to wrap the innings up. The final score of 156, even given the conditions, looked 30 runs short of par, but thanks to Pipe and the other middle order Kings at least had something to defend, which had look very unlikely after 30 overs.

 

The Cyrptics response got off to a reasonable start, as Wright opened up by taking 7 off Tighe's first over, however the opending overs saw the Kings bowlers dominate. Inwood was particularly hostile and gave both Wright and Hogben a good test. Tighe was unfortunate, beating the bat or seeing both batsmen dangerously working the ball off middle stump to behind square. The first wicket should have come when Wright skied Inwood to mid on but Young failed to hold the chance. However it was a short lived reprieve as rising ball from Inwood saw Wright flash at the ball and Smith took a good catch behind, two balls later Benham (who had made a century the weekend before) had his off stump laid back as Inwood returned 2-3 off 5 overs. The pressure on the Cryptics batsmen did not relent as Tighe now found the groove in reeling off four maidens in a row, and with the pressure came the next wicket as Jurek drove Tighe to extra cover where Young made amends for his earlier error by taking a good catch. Inwood struck again when he finally removed Hogben to had dug deep to see out 16 overs for his 7 runs. When Pipe replaced Tighe, and struck in his first over, bowling Espejo Kings had the visitors in all sorts of trouble. However Cupit and Grindrod stood firm and started to play some agressive shots as the bowlers struggle to keep control in the rain. Soon the rain started to get a lot heavier and with the pitch now starting to suffer there was little option but to call time on the game with Cryptics at 58-5 and 16 overs remaining.

 

Arguably Kings could have said they should have gone on to win the game, however with less than 100 runs needed the visitors would have surely given a good fist of chasing the runs down, ultimately the elements were the winner in a game which twist and turned.

 

 

 

KINGS	HOW OUT	BOWLER	RUNS
D Miller	Run Out		15
P Bygrave	Ct.	b. Nihill	6
J Melligan	Ct. w/k	b. Grindrod	12
P Nangle	Ct.	b. Meek	0
D Wright	Ct.	b. Grindrod	6
S Pipe	Ct. w/k	b. Hihill	48
O Mears	LBW	b. Cupit	11
N Tighe	Ct.	b. Seeckts	9
A Inwood	Ct.	b. Seeckts	20
R Young	Bowled	b. Nihill	6
S Smith	Not Out		2
Extras			20
Total	All Out - 44.3 overs		156

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