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Last updated 27-Aug-2009.
Match Report
On a warm but cloudy (at the start) day the Seconds entertained our neighbours Fareham and Crofton Seconds, our First were playing their Firsts at Bath Lane. Sean O’Toole was providing the tea and pizza a plenty was a promise.
Jason was still ill so it was down to our captain of vice Matt to toss up and I believe he won or should that be the Fareham captain lost as it's the opposition that calls, anyway we batted first. Yet again PJ had a new opening partner this time Matt Reeves, who volunteered and both didn't seem to be in any trouble and then out of the blue Matt (11) chipped one up for square leg to take an easy catch above his head. Sam Floyd then join Phil and made batting look so easy it could have been an under 15 net session and there was one shot he played, a square drive for four, was worth my £6.50 match fees. The only problem that I can see with Sam is, he prefers difficult bowling (e.g. Wellow earlier in the season). If he could take a leaf out of his old mans book, who destroyed mediocre bowling, then I can't imagine how many runs he'd have scored this year, but then he's only 15 and there's always next season. Anyway back to the game in hand, PJ was the next to go a big swing outside off stump reminiscent of Swish, so that was two down Phil out for 12. Dan Millward joined Sam and got off the mark (eventually) with a off drive for four, the two of them were also running the singles well, which was good to see. Then came an incident that can only be called unlucky; Dan hit the ball firmly to mid off and called for the single, the fielder produced a fantastic piece of fielding and threw down the stumps at the non strikers end, so fast that the umpire never had a chance to move from his original position behind the stumps. Dan had set off straight away and was almost level with the stumps, I was in a perfect position level with the popping crease, but for some reason the umpire gave him out, he'd scored 10. Sam was the next to go bowled behind his legs for 22. Steve came and went quickly for 0, didn't see what happened as I was getting pads on. So could Matt play a captain's innings? I was now batting with Matt and he hit a lovely four but then chased a wide one (and it was wide) and got caught in the covers for 9. Craig joined me and stayed for a while but was caught behind for 6. It was the same for Dave Agha, caught behind for 6. Sean lasted two balls caught for 0. It was now down to Keith and me to try and get some sort of score for us to bowl at, the current score was something like 113, so our first target was 125, then 150, then 175, we finally ended up on 177, Keith last man out for 10, I was 78 not out and we had something like 9 balls remaining. Fareham didn't have the strongest bowling we've faced this year but they all bowled to their field and I should say the wicket played exceptionally well considering the downpour the ground got at 10:00 in the morning, most of us got ourselves out.
Teas what can I say NO egg or the much promised pizza (it had all gone by the time Keith and I got any), still there were plenty of cakes and melon slices.
Sean and Craig started with the new ball Sean from the school end, whose first over was lively, Craig's first was right on the button making the batsman play every ball. Sean's second created the first chance the ball finding the edge and hitting Matt at second slip (in fairness it came at an awkward height and very fast). He then got a glove on one from Sean but Dan got up a little early and it was spilled. I then dropped him (I like to think I did well to get to it) off Craig, sorry mate. Finally he did edge one off the bowling of Matt who had replaced Sean after a really good and fiery 6 over spell and it was held by Dan there was a big appeal but no movement from the umpire. The batsman turned and asked Dan if it had carried and then walked off, A Tucker you are a true sportsman. Dave Agha had replaced Craig and settled straight into his line and length, just doing what Dave does, turning the ball square which is why he is the Seconds' leading wicket taker this year. I replaced Matt at the School end and my first ball bounced a bit and got the other opener out caught very sharply by Dan. I then got the number 4 out caught by Dan (we have turned into a good double act this year, bowled Dan, caught/stumped Dan). Dave then had the number 5 caught. Fareham then developed a small partnership (sorry not sure how many as I only have the score card from Fareham's web site and there’s no FOW.) Matt McKeever then took what I'd say was catch of the year, fielding at short mid wicket the batsman timed it a treat and only just off the ground. The umpire and I didn't see it leave the bat but unluckily for the batsman Matt did. I picked up one more wicket before I was replaced by Matt and Dave bowled out and was replaced by Keith. Fareham were always behind the run rate and so chances had to be taken. Sean dropped one off Keith (the ball coming straight out of the sun) which was a pity as Keith's figures look worse than he bowled. Craig came back instead of Keith and fired one of the widest balls down the leg side to the boundary Dan had no chance. He then bowled the batsman with a leg stump yorker. We then got a couple of run outs as Fareham became desperate for runs. Craig picked up the last wicket lbw.
