Produced by Cricket Statz - www.cricketstatz.com
Last updated 09-Jun-2009.
Match Report
After three victories, the 4ths were beaten by the better side on the day in slumping to a 73 run defeat at Fareham & Crofton.
The scenic Bath Lane ground, with boats sailing serenely past behind the bowler's arm, played host to a scorching afternoon. Predictably, we lost the toss and fielded first. On what looked a belting wicket full of runs, Mike Edwards and Martin Lander kept the hosts in check and Mike snapped up the opener in the 11th over with 32 on the board, the first of three catches to Hannah Clark. But Hannah apart, it was a fielding display to forget as we dropped catches and gave away a number of boundaries to misfields, the unforgiving outfield as green and smooth as Robin Hood's tights. Richard Azar bowled a fine spell, 11 runs coming off one over but still finishing with 1-28 from 10 overs, and he was certainly the pick of the bowlers. Mike Brogan took his season's tally to 15 wickets with 3-35 from 8 overs but we wilted in the oven as Fareham & Crofton, struggling at 121-5 with 10 overs left, added 118 for a final total of 239-7. Dr Mike came in for particular punishment, his first spell of 6-3-7-1 becoming 10-3-61-2 in a harum scarum Fareham finale.
240 always looked a stiff target, particularly when we lost both openers in the first 7 balls of our innings without a run on the board, but at least neither Captain Mark nor Stuart Raddon burst into tears and asked the umpires for another try. But the Sarisbury's Got Talent show did start as Richard Azar and Lewis Mitchard batted confidently in a half-century 3rd wicket partnership, Lewis looking particularly good until edging to slip for 24. Richard pulled a full toss to square leg for 36 but we were keeping pretty parallel with the corresponding home score despite the loss of key wickets. Graham Saunders hit four fours (plus four byes) in one over and he was our only serious hope now of getting near to winning the match. But having hit an enormous six onto the railway line, our innings hit the buffers next ball with his dismissal, also for 36. The light at the end of the tunnel disappeared as we lost three more quick wickets to leave us 123-8 and we only had the prospect of eking out an extra batting point or two. Mike Edwards and Martin Lander took us past 125 and then 150 for 4th and 5th batting points when the latter was skittled for 13. With three overs to go, I swear I could hear Eye of the Tiger as Sir Mike strode out to take guard. And off the penultimate ball of the day, a cover drive from the Michael Vaughan batting manual ripped through the offside from the willow of Sir Mike. Dr Mike finished unbeaten on a fighting 22 as we closed on 166-9.
A bad day at the office overall, but we still picked up 8 points to keep our average high at 19.00. We must bounce back next week and deliver versus Portsmouth Post Office with hopefully this year's clash memorable for the cricket.
