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Last updated 09-Jun-2009.
Match Report
A match that always had unpleasantness just below the surface saw Portsmouth Post Office beat Sarisbury IV by 6 wickets, despite a first-class start parceled up for us by Stuart Raddon and Mark Hansford.
The tense atmosphere was not helped by the visitors complaining about the ball after just one delivery, then the pitch after a couple of overs and then about Ray Hammond taking photographs of the action. Perhaps the Posties were unsettled by a number of dogs invading the outfield, their nostrils maybe sensing the scent of postmen but there was a degree of excessive appealing that did grate after a while. Captain Mark and Stuart however went on their merry way, Mark slightly the merrier, hitting four boundaries in the first 20 minutes of play. He reached his half century with his 8th four and at halfway we had a great platform of 79 without loss. Stuart got into his stride with some nice off-side drives and with 10 overs remaining the openers were still there with 140 on the board. Stuart was caught at long on for 42, as was Richard Azar for 6. Mark was dropped twice and then hit a nasty blow on the chest as he tired within sight of a century but the death bowlers bowled tightly to restrict us to only 34 runs in the last 10 overs even with wickets in hand. Mark was caught for a fine 92 (13 fours), again at long on, but we couldn't kick on to the 200 score that looked so likely earlier. We closed on 174-4 off our 42 overs, a disappointing return given the platform but one we still thought should be enough.
After a couple of tight overs from Mike Edwards and thoroughbred Mark Callow, back in the fold on Derby Day since being put out to stud at the end of last season, the Posties went on the attack, maintaining a rate of around six runs per over throughout. The bounce was variable and Dr Mike was close to the openers' off stumps more than once before galloping in to graze the off bail and deliver the first wicket in the 6th over. Hannah Clark took the first of her two catches from Richard Azar's second ball to leave the visitors 59-2 and the match was very much in the balance. Another wicket now would swing it in our favour but an all-out assault took the Posties to the 100 mark in only 16 overs, despite a couple of difficult chances going down. We just couldn't seem to tie them down, the batsmen chancing their arms and getting away with some loose shots in between some well hit boundaries. Dr Mike took the opener for 45 and almost snared another victim with a slower ball that gave a chance of a return catch. But in an atmosphere that was tense to say the least, and not in the cricketing sense, the Posties sprinted towards the victory target. Mark Callow returned to dismiss the top scorer - for 59 - who was not best pleased, hurling his bat and helmet to the ground as he returned toward the changing room. It was clear by now that we needed to bowl out our opponents to win and despite several plays and misses, a nice cameo by the middle order youngster took the game away from us for the Posties to reach 175 from just 26 overs.
On reflection, the match had two key phases. Firstly, we failed to kick on in the last 10-15 overs to post a really big total and then we failed to take a number of difficult catches to expose the middle order. I cannot say it was the most enjoyable match in the aftermath of the shenanigans of last August and most of us felt drained at the end. But to be fair, the visiting batsmen went for their shots and we couldn't get them out or keep the runs down. A rather chastening day for all.
