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Last updated 20-May-2009.
Match Report
Sarisbury 4ths turned on the style, both with bat and ball, at a very windy Privett Park to post a convincing 116 run victory over Portchester 3rds.
With Stuart Raddon caught behind first ball, we considered 140-150 a decent total, but David Mitchard and Captain MPH (Mark "Patience" Hansford) steadied the ship before David was caught with the score on 33. By this time we were bail-less, our bails blown off twice an over in the opening seven overs. Despite the wind (!) Mark looked in immense form, hitting 5 fours with a big score on the cards for him before being unfortunately run out for 41. At that time, in the 17th over, we were 61-3 with only 9 runs off any bat other than Mark's. Richard Azar and Matt Spicer played themselves in and, apart from a couple of scares, looked secure against no more than a workmanlike attack. With 15 overs left, the score was still only 96-3, but Richard played a superb hand, with Matt supporting really well, giving Richard the majority of the strike. The two, 40 years apart in age, batted like sorceror and apprentice in putting on a magnificent unbroken 4th wicket stand of 137, accelerating to score 80 in the last 11 overs, and 34 in the last three. Richard, with four fours in the last four overs, finished on 86 not out and Matt agonisingly short of a first ever half-century in any form of cricket, a mature 48 not out. We were well happy with 6 batting points, just 2 runs short of another on 198-3, a brilliant effort off 42 overs.
Portchester started steadily, knocking 25 off the required total in the first 8 overs, despite regular miscues and playing and missing off our opening bowlers. The first ball of the 9th over saw Mike Edwards (4-20) clean bowl the home skipper and Dr Mike had a purple patch of four consecutive wicket maidens to warm the shivering Sarisbury following. Once Martin Lander picked up the second wicket, again cleaning up the stumps, the result was never really in doubt, with Portchester fielding a number of game youngsters and wily oldsters down the order. Will Jacobs picked up one with a good'un but a doughty 7th wicket partnership held us up for eight overs. However, the runs never flowed at any rate to worry us as, on a bumpy outfield, despite the odd misfield, overall the fielding held up pretty well. With the toilets now locked and many desperate for us to finish the job, Mike Brogan (2-6) and Richard Azar (2-8) nicked in with the last four wickets in 13 balls with Portchester castled for 82 - top score extras with 27 (20 wides). Catches from Martin, Stuart and Matt among those late wickets.
Dr Mike's season figures are 9-42 and Sir Mike's 6-30. With fine support from Martin, Will and Richard, this looks a bowling attack to trouble any side at this level. Any Fantasy Cricket manager with Richard, Dr Mike and Matt in their side would have celebrated the 364 points from this match - hence my own glee (grin!) at watching this second win of the season for the 4ths.
