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Last updated 18-Aug-2009.
Match Report
It was an eventful day with 2 keepers used, fielding with 10 men before a super sub came and claimed a catch.
Easton's powerful batting line up came to The Hollow but it was Tom, for the 2nd week running, that hit the first blow, having Sparks caught behind by Dayer. Smith then came in at 3 and instantly hit four 4's from his first 6 balls. Jewelly had bowled a tidy 3 overs for just 1 run before Pete replaced him (going for 15 from his first over). In the 9th over, Tom bowled a beauty to knock over Bashire's off pole, leaving them 48-2. Smith was looking impressive aginst pace bowling, but not so comfortable against spin. Freddie and Alex really bowled impressive spells, Fred bowling Shaun Green. This brought the league's top batsman Steve Green to the crease. They put on 50, with Smith passing 50 before Alex drew him out of his crease for Jimmy to stump him. Jimmy had taken over from Colin after he'd taken a ball to the eye from Fred's bowling. We fielded for about 10 overs with 10 men before Ollie Challis left his TV watching to answer an emergency call. He took a catch off Fred (2-37) to leave Easton 168-5 from 41. Alex finished his spell (10-1-28-1) with me running out Steve Green, throwing the ball through my legs. Alex's spell was top draw, exactly what was needed. Pete (2-46) and Tom (3-34) returned to grab 3 wickets between them, Pete's 2 with dirty slower balls and leaving Jewelly to get a deserved wicket (1-14 from 8.3 overs). Easton were all out for 189 after being 96-2, a great effort. Last 4 wickets going without a run scored.
Teas were good, I only just got to the egg sandwiches before they all went!
With Colin's eye not up to opening, Pete volunteered himself to open. What an effect it had. A real mature opening stand of 129 pretty much secured the victory with the other 61 runs being a bit of a formality. Pete and Si drove, cut and even swept really well, Pete being clapped for his 50 on 40 (cheers Ray) before reaching 50 (80 balls, yes 80). Si quietly eased to 49 before he was caught by the same player who'd put Pete down twice (80 balls). Jocky joined Pete and they quickly moved along to 160 befroe Pete was caught for 63 (91). Jimmy helped move the scores level before Jocky dragged a short wide one onto his stumps (22 from 20 balls) leaving me to hit the winning runs from my only ball.
A super win against a team who had 2 players in the top 5 batting averages. Tom is leading from the front, taking early wickets which always gives us a little energy in the field. Catching was quality as usual with both spinners playing crucial roles in pulling the run rate down. Si and Pete then put together the perfect run chase. They did everything right apart from getting out! Survival secured, we can now look on to possibly fininshing in the top half. Has there been a team recently promoted from County 1 to then finish in the top half of SPL div 3? Not really sure, but do know most struggle to survive at all. So let's push hard for the end of the season.
