Kings vs Stollers

Kings lost the toss and Strollers elected to bat.

Kings made early in-roads when Joel Miah bowled their number 2. (Reidy) first ball. There was then a spell of 15 overs where the batsmen played watchfully at around 4 an over.

Miah had bowled a good 5 over stint and Daye in particular was getting the ball do move off the pitch. Pipe was introduced into the attack and beat the bat regularly, so much so that he reeled off 6 sucessive maidens. With the score on 59, Daye picked up the 2nd wicket when Joel fielding at Mid On took a comfortable catch. Daye was bowling well and with his movement was proving a real handful.

He then bowled Moody without scoring chopping onto his stumps. There was then a repeat of some earlier season antics when H Virk was called to the crease to face Daye.

Virk played a smashing shot to mid-on to get off the mark for 4 but next ball edged to Daye to Perry. Daye celebrated the wicket like nothing ever seen before.

This left the visitors struggling at 64-4. Daye's last over produced his final wicket when he bowled Harris for 4. Bringing to an end an excellent spell of 4-39. Pipe got the wicket he deserved when Lees played straight to the safe hands of Mears to leave Strollers in real trouble at 68-6. Pipe's superb but unlucky spell of 8-6-10-1 really troubled the batsmen as they played and missed time after time.

With the ball swinging and the weather overcast it was decided that Wright may get something out the pitch. His second bowling spell of the season did the trick as the swing was proving difficult to get away.

Wright had the dangerous Patel caught at Long Off by Mears for 6. Mears with a difficult catch that was made to look very easy indeed. The number 9 Arnold nicked a few ones & two but was sent packing by Warne, bowled for 13. For the first time in the match, Kings looked a little ragged as J.Virk & Krunic put the fielders under pressure with some good running between the wickets. The partnership had reached 33 when Joel took his 2nd wicket. Krunic, the Strollers captain hit the ball low and hard to Mid-off where Mears took a quite magnificent 3rd catch to dismiss him for 22. Mears was suitably mobbed by his team mates. The catch was a certain contender for catch of the season. Joel also took the final wicket of Mayur when he feathered through to Perry for 6.

An excellent effort by everyone on the field where everyone contributed. 158 was a very gettable score but with some good bowling to come and movement on the pitch, Kings would need to knuckle down.

Warne & D.Miah opened the batting and the President was first to fall for a 2nd ball bhooner caught and bowled by Krunic. His second bhooner of the weekend..!! Warne was looking very dangerous and anything short was despatched through the on side. With the score on 39, Warne fell for a good 30, taken at 2nd slip. There then followed the partnership of the day between Nangle & Perry. The pair were assured and controlled. They saw off the opening bowlers who had both bowled well. The partnership was broken when Perry was dismissed for 26 from a fine catch by Krunic. The pair had put on 63 and Kings were in an excellent position to see this home. Nange was punishing the 1st and 2nd change bowlers and played some lovely shots through covers. He deservedly brought up his half century but fell immediately for 50 when he was caught at mid-off. At this point Kings were 4 down with 33 required for victory. Blissett was looking safe at one end and was joined by Joel. Joel had looked a little scratchy at the start but hit 3 fours including a lovely straight hit over the bowlers head. He fell for 13 with the score on 155 when he was superbly caught one handed at gully. Mears then confidently strode out to the wicket and within seconds was walking back to the changing rooms with his bat tucked under his arm. His first ball powerfully hit through extra cover to score the winning runs.

It was an all round excellent display against a difficult side to beat.

Kings the conquerers by 5 wickets with 10 overs to spare.

Paul Bygrave - Vice Captain

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