Produced by Cricket Statz - www.cricketstatz.com
Last updated 30-Aug-2009.
Match Report
A gutsy win against a determined Bishop's Waltham side yesterday gave Jason's men a thoroughly well deserved second promotion in 3 seasons.
Jason won the toss - no, really, he did - and decided to have a bat on a track that was rock hard and as flat as month-old cider. PJ and Evs opened cautiously, the latter taking 20 deliveries to get off the mark, and after 6 overs we had just 11 runs on the board. Phil was obviously just getting his eye in, as the next 6 overs went for 33, largely thanks to his finding of the very long boundaries with some hard hitting. With Evs seeming to struggle a bit at the other end, PJ just accelerated, punishing anything loose and brought up his half-century after just over half an hour. The first wicket fell in the 22nd over, Evs's off peg taken by the second change bowler getting one to cut in a bit. He departed for 21 with the score on 89, bringing Sambo to the crease. He typically smashed his 3rd ball for 4, but then took another 15 deliveries to score again: patience was clearly the order of the day against some decent bowling. Sambo soon got into his stride and a great partnership with PJ as the two of them pushed the score along at over 6 runs per over, Phil bringing up a very well-played century in the process. PJ was eventually out in the 38th over, caught on the long on boundary going for his 3rd six and departed for 111 having surely set the foundation for a match-winning score. Sambo brought up his half century moments later but was soon out caught behind (54). Otis (6) was unlucky to be adjudged LBW soon after and Big Mac (7) was back in the hutch the following over, unluckily run out by the bowler deflecting a drive onto the stumps at his end. Reevsy played with flashing blade, hitting the biggest six of the day off his 5th ball, but was out LBW for 17 attempting a Dilshan-esque leg-side flick off a straight one. Dulux (7*) and Butters (2*) saw off the last few balls to leave us with 236 for 6 and maximum batting points.
Teas were very good once they arrived. With nobody doing teas for them, the fielding side were buttering and preparing furiously as soon as they came off the park.
When we eventually got going again Sean opened up down the hill (but against the wind) with Big Mac at the other end. The BW openers made a lively start, with skipper Simon Jones looking in particularly threatening form. The innings settled into the same sort of rhythm as ours had, and they matched our scoring to the point that at drinks there were only 2 runs in it, the difference being that we had just taken the first wicket, the no.2 chipping Dave Agha to the safe hands of Dulux at forward square leg. The turning point of the innings came in the 25th over. The no.3 had clipped Jason through midwicket, but in going for the second run had underestimated Otis's arm - his direct hit running out the skipper for a very well-played 56. The BW batsmen continued to keep up with the required rate, until two Dave Agha wickets in the 30th and 32nd overs (one caught by PJ, one stumped) stemmed the flow of runs. After that, needing 9.5 runs per over, the BW batsmen swung the bat at everything, and got lucky quite a few times in the increasing gloom with lofted shots failing to find fielders, and fielders failing to realise the ball was coming their way. The young no.5 played some stylish shots before being bowled by Tooley, and although they fought hard they were always 20 runs short of where they needed to be and finished their 45 overs in near darkness on 213, Sarisbury winning by 23 runs and 2nd place in the league guaranteed.
Sadly for BW this defeat meant relegation down to County 4 South and fair play to our lads they saved their celebrations until back at The Hollow. I think it's fair to say that BW were worthy adversaries on the day, and the winning margin a fair reflection of how close the two sides were. The game was played in tremendous spirit which as umpire I was delighted, as well as relieved, to see. I wish BW well next season, they're a great bunch if a little disorganised.
The last half an hour or so of this match was played in near darkness, and in fact we walked off the field at the official sunset time of 1955 BST. Even taking into account the disarray at teatime, games like this can only serve to reinforce the growing argument for earlier starts.
Personally I enjoyed my first match umpiring in County 3, and am delighted that it will be my last for at least one season! Congratulations on promotion lads, thoroughly deserved.
