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Last updated 18-Aug-2009.
Match Report
2nds, without skipper Jason who was unfortunately ill travelled for a near top of table match at Rowledge. Stand in skipper Matt McKeever lost the toss and we were asked to bat.
For those of you who have not played at Rowledge one straight boundary is tiny and because of the wicket we used, one side boundary was tiny. Andy Evans and PJ used this well to put on a brilliant opening partnership. Andy pulled their open bowler early for 6. They both also ran well to the big boundary. They put on 144 in 32 overs. The only bowler to trouble them was Chris Yates snr who bowled a very good spell of quick left arm spin. He bowled 10 overs, 1 for 30, with his last 4 overs with the short straight boundary going for just 3 runs. This spell also included the wicket of Andy caught behind for an excellent 81. Shortly after PJ reached his fifty. Not long after he went also for a very good 60. This meant the rest of the batsman could be very agressive and we scored around 124 off the last 13 overs despite losing wickets. Sambo, Matt and Reevesy all hit some big shots and were out in the 20s. One six by Sambo over mid wicket was reminiscent of Jon at his best. We ended on 270/8 a good score.
After a very good tea with lots of very nice cakes Craig and Tooley opened up. They both bowled very well, Craig's first 4 overs being maidens. Tooley got the first wicket caught by buckets Andy Evans in the covers, Craig then got one caught by Steve at slip from a good out swinger. Andy then caught another and Rowledge were 25 for 3. Full credit must then go to Rowledge whose young batsmen then played brilliantly to make a good game of it. Matt replaced Tooley and got the 4th wicket. The two young Rowledge batsmen ran well, used the short boundary well to just about keep up with the rate. I replaced Craig whose bowling was much better than his figures imply. 10 overs 1 for 44, he had 3 or 4 edges to thirdman for four. Dave Agha replaced Matt to start an excellent spell. It was during his spell the controversy happened. Having twice warned the young batsman for backing up too far Dave took the bails off. Their umpire gave him out which started lots of unpleasant shouting from members of both teams. Our umpire Dave Payne had his Tom Smiths laws of cricket book in the car checked the rules which said the batsman was rightly out. From my view it was not sporting to be out this way but if the rules say it's out then it's out. It was very sad because the batsman was on 50 and had played very well including hitting me for a straight 6. After everything calmed down Dave continued to bowl well but the other young batsman hit me for two sixes to the short straight boundary. Matt came back to replace me and help us win the game. With the help of two catches on the short cover boundary by buckets Evans including the youngster (who I believe was only 14) for an excellent 70. Matt then caught and bowled their skipper with a good short ball and Dave bowled their last 2 batsman. Rowledge were all out 223.
An excellent performance batting, bowling and fielding. I hope the match will be remembered for the great batting by both sides and not the controversy of the run out. Promotion still looks on.
