Produced by Cricket Statz - www.cricketstatz.com
Last updated 27-Aug-2009.
Match Report
Taking the short trip to Bath Lane to face a relegation threatened Fareham, we were hoping to follow on from last weeks near complete performance.
After being put in, the new opening pair of Si and Pete promptly put on their 2nd century stand in 2 weeks. Some hard work required first up, only 8 runs from first 5 overs. That soon became 89-0 at first drinks break (17 overs) as the pair got to grips with the sluggish pitch and change bowlers. Pete reached his 50 from 58 balls before falling caught for 60 (64) to leave us 118-1. The opening partnership for the last 2 weeks is 123.5, a good platform to win games from. Jocky came in and put on 70 with a tiring Si, who reached 50 from 79 balls before getting caught on the longest boundary for 69 (116). Colin joined Jocky for a quick 20 (22) with Jocky reaching 50 (62). I fell cheaply lbw (4), Jimmy (5) and Sammy (2) were run out near the end before Jocky went caught off the penultimate ball for 76 (82). Alex was stumped from the final ball, leaving us 274-8 on a pitch that was hard work.
Teas were had, egg supplied. But some excellent cakes nearly knocked it off its top spot. Banana and Chocolate!!!
Fareham's reply got off to the worst start. 3rd ball in, Tom drew an edge that Colin gobbled up, diving 1 handed low to his right. An awesome catch! Some tight bowling led to the second wicket, bowled by Tom left them 18-2. Tom bowled a super opening spell (6-3-13-2). Pete then got in on the action, Fred taking a good catch at mid off. Their skipper's day was complete when Jocky ran him out for a duck followed by 2 wickets in 2 balls for Pete. Pete got his first 5 wicket haul to finish 5-35. From 77-8 they then put on 76 for the last 2 wickets, Fred getting them both to knock them over for 153.
A 121 run win lifts us to 8th, 10 points off 7th. The last 2 weeks we've played some really good cricket as we've built some good batting & bowling partnerships followed up by some excellent fielding. Pete has finally started to turn into an all rounder (not just a bowler!), Tom has got us early wickets 3 weeks running now, which is what we lacked earlier in the season. 1 last push for the final game of the season which will hopefully produce a top half finish, a great achievement. And with the 2's and 3's hopefully getting promoted, another superb year for the club is on the cards.
