Falcon CC vs Kings CC

Sunday 25th July 2010

Kings won by 75 runs

Follow the late call off by Imber Court on the Friday before the match Kings were fortunate to secure a fixture against Falcon CC. Based on the Surrey/Sussex borders in picturesque surroundings a good game between two friendly sides followed.  Kings won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry looking pitch with a fast outfield. Kings opened up with Dave Miller and Dave Perry. But despite making a reasonable start the side lost Perry when his mistimed shot saw him caught at mid-on (17-1) and worst was follow as first Miller, was superbly caught (45-2)  then Miah (57-3) and Wright (64-4) both succumbed to loose shots. When Nangle was run out off a misfield Kings were struggling at 86-5. However a superb partnership followed between Melligan and Pipe and they first consolidated and then took their opportunities to go on the counter attack. Melligan was particularly strong through the covers with some superb drives, whilst Pipe worked the ball well and cut and pulled with aplomb  . They brought up the fifty partnership for the 6th wicket, and it was a surprise when Melligan was caught by a juggling catch for a battling 35 (142-6). With the overs running down Pipe was in his element and with Gale and latterly Bygrave he pushed the score towards what looked par. Gale was caught (172-7) before Pipe and Bygrave took the closing score to 196, with Pipe making an unbeaten 48. 

The Falcon reply made a steady start and there was little sign to the carnage that was to follow with both bat and ball. After picking up some early runs Falcons top order were blown away as Miah and Pipe ripped through the batting line up. Miah was first to strike bowling Plaistel (11-1) and then Pipe dismissed Watson (15-2). The Falcon batsmen had no response to the Kings bowlers struck time and again - with home side crashing from 23-2 to 26-6 as Miah picked up three wickets and Pipe one more. With the hosts reeling both bowlers were rested and Bygrave and Gale introduced in their place. This opened way for Andrew Burridge to go on the assualt, he took a liking to Bygrave, lifting his first ball for six into the adjacent field. This set the tone for the next 8 overs - Gale keeping control whilst Bygrave suffered at the hands of Burridge. In between Gale picked up Lelliott, caught by Melligan at mid wicket (87-7) but the assault by Burridge was never ending as time and again the ball soared for massive sixes, or crashed to the boundary for four. The rate of scoring was such that the home side would romp to victory if Kings could not rein in the scoring or more importantly take the remaining wickets. Having raced to his fifty Burridge was intent on the winning the game, Bygrave, however, having conceded 57 in just four overs was happy to come out of the attack. Kings reintroduced Miah and with his first ball he beat Burridge for pace and removed his middle stump (100-8) and in the process claim a 5 wicket haul. Gale wrapped up the innings in taking the wickets of Wildman and Puppick as Kings came home by 75 runs.

It was an outstanding piece of bowling from Miah, whose 5 victims were all bowled, and at a cost of just 9 runs. He was ably supported by Pipe (2-18) and Gale (3-32), whilst for Bygrave it was a day he would want to forget (not that his teammates intended to let him do so!). One could only admire the powerful counter attacking hitting of Burridge, but at the end of the day Kings attack were too good for the home side on the day

Bowlers J Miah    6-2-9-5 S Pipe   4-1-18-2 J Gale 6-0-32-3 P Bygrave       4-0-57-0

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