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Last updated 29-Jun-2009.
Match Report
The 4ths returned to winning ways with a 7 wicket triumph over Old Hambledonians II at Turnpike Way. Despite plenty of injuries and absences in the club, there was a strong look to the 4ths side with young Billy Taylor a genuine all-rounder making his league debut.
The match's key moment came before the start. Captain Mark and I practised tossing in the middle and this paid off as he won his 2nd out of 8 this season, putting the visitors in on a damp green wicket. Old Hambledonians reached 23 in 5 overs but from there on, the bowlers were giving away about as much as a print-out of an MP's published expenses, redacting runs with four successive maidens from Dr Mike and Martin Lander. Lander's tight opening spell ended with figures of 5-3-7-0, unlucky not to break through the opening pair. The good work was continued by Richard Azar and Mark Callow, Richard bowling through his 10 overs for just 18 runs. The batsmen were suspicious of the low bounce and became rather paranoid even of the odd loose ball as if they'd come across an old World War II grenade. Billy Taylor bowled his first 4 overs for a tidy 10 and with 10 overs left, we had held the score to just 85-1, the wicket to Mark Callow who saw a very belated umpire's raised finger after ball hit pad. With no specialist spinner in the side, Steve Osgood came on for a couple of overs to snare the 2nd wicket just as the number 3 batsman, out for 30, threatened to cut loose as the pitch dried and played more easily. Indeed we did excellently to restrict the runs in the last 6 overs to just 27 for the loss of 3 wickets. Two of these fell to Mark Callow and, of course, a 4ths match without a Dr Mike wicket would be like an episode of Columbo without a murder. Mark finished with season's best stats of 3-39. A word for Hannah Clark who took a battering behind the stumps but kept to a high standard in very difficult conditions. A score of 147-5 was a reasonable yet cautious effort and with conditions easing, we were confident of chasing it down.
Some tasty teas from Mrs Captain Mark saw the opposition really fill themselves.... and, believe me, there was plenty to fill, in one or two cases.
The weather was still baking but as Captain Mark nurdled his first run, we knew we'd be fine, he having not been dismissed for less than 40 this term once off the mark. Averaging 82 in home games before this innings, the Turnpike Tonker turned the tide with four fours in the first 5 overs and with Stuart Raddon supporting with the odd scoring stroke, we soon reduced the required run rate to below 3 runs per over. Stuart cleared the ropes with a stonking straight six and it was looking all too easy for the openers, getting over halfway to the target within 15 overs. Unfortunately Captain Mark gloved one that bounced a bit to return to the shade for a sunny 48 and in the next over Tom Hopkins unluckily fell as a good length ball hit the stumps two inches up. Stuart opened up to reach fifty, hitting his 7th and 8th fours close to where some young girls had just passed, and consequently Tom Hopkins went hunting (unsuccessfully) for a couple of balls in the bush. Stuart was caught in the deep for 56, bringing an amusing over-celebration, the fastest the fielder had moved all game. With still 26 wanted, we sought a suitably steady stand to land full batting points and Steve Osgood and Matt Spicer provided that, Ossie (28 not out) with five fours and Matt (7 not out) one lovely cut just in front of square to take his season's league average to 55. So it came to pass that Sarisbury IV won with 12 overs to spare - we had the better of the conditions but also we'd taken advantage of them in clinical fashion.
Just for once, the 4ths are toast of the club with the other sides all vanquished today.
