Produced by Cricket Statz - www.cricketstatz.com
Last updated 18-Jun-2009.
Match Report
Sarisbury seconds had a scare at the hollow with a dramatic last over win to maintain their 100% record in a rain affected game against struggling Leckford.
With Dave Agar being promoted to the first team Sarisbury welcomed Alex Corliss into the team for the first time this season. After Jason had inevitable lost another toss the visitors batted sensible against some good opening bowling from Matt and Toolie restricting the openers to three an over. Wickets began to tumble with the introduction of the spinners with Jason bowling particularly well and being rewarded with three wickets. The visitors were reduced to 65-5 and the possibility of having them all out for 130 ish seemed to be on the cards. However with some late hitting from their number 6 who ending up with 62 Leckford reached a respectable 198 from their 45 overs. An unfortunate recurring feature however was five dropped catches which had they been taken would certainly restricted Leckford to a far more modest total. Alex finished with two wickets and Matt three.
After tea Phil, batting despite the lingering effects of a severe hangover, batted cautiously with Oz until both were out in quick succession followed by Sam for one reducing Sarisbury to 42-3 against some tight bowling. After Reevsie (batting without The Dog) was out in familiar fashion for 15 Alex was joined at the crease by Steve with the score on 69-4. This was to prove the pivotal partnership of the innings with both players particularly Alex scoring freely and picking the right ball to hit. But having just got their 100 partnership with the score on 169-4 and 6.2 overs remaining the players were forced to leave the field with steady rain falling. After much bashing of calculators and referring to the handbook it transpired that Sarisbury were 1 run behind the rate and therefore need an urgent resumption of play in order to stand any chance of maintaining their unbeaten record. With 1 over being lost for every 3 minutes the teams were off Leckford only needed to be off for 18 minutes to record an unlikely victory. Fortunately the rain subsided and a reduced target was set of 181 from 41 overs or 12 runs from 14 balls. That was not the end of the drama with Alex falling first ball after the resumption for a great 88 followed by three dot balls and Big Mac falling for 4. Into the last over and 4 were needed off 4 balls when Steve steered one down to the vacant fine leg boundary bringing a huge cheer from the boundary for a nail biting win by four wickets with three balls left.
Sarisbury have slipped to second in the table but will need to improve their fielding and especially catching during the next month against some of the stronger teams in the league. However another victory and they are now 5 from 5. Well done.
