Hatfield Peverel Cricket Club 2nd XI v SWF II on Sat 02 Jul 2005 at
Hatfield Peverel Cricket Club Lost 6 Wickets
After another unsettled week of weather, quite a green wicket awaited us at
Church Road for the final match of the half season. SWF won the toss and
asked us to bat on a cloudy but warm afternoon.
The returning legend Frank Watts opened the innings with stand in partner
Monkey. Both settled in quickly rattling up 50 in no time. Monkey in particular seemed to relish his new responsibility and between them they quickly took control.
It was a bit of a surprise when Frank was eventually out for a bright knock of 38.
Monkey kept playing with great freedom whilst Bunny settled in quietly at the other
end. At this stage a massive score seemed to be on the cards when Monkey was out
6 short of a well deserved century.
DG made a few lusty blows before playing a full toss onto his stumps, Ford senior
and Horney both went for ducks and it was left to Posh to righten the ship with the
skipper who was at last scoring more quickly.
Posh was out to a good catch at mid on which allowed Mickey Lewis to swing the willow for a quick fire 20. Innings closed 255-6.
Sue Horn provided a lovely tea for us and we fully expected to go out and tie up our
6th win on the trot. How wrong we were………
An early wicket was taken when DG bowled the young opener in the 3rd over. This
brought in the left hander Stevens to partner the very dangerous captain Yeomans.
Starting relatively slowly, they gradually but surely took the initiative from us and
although Mickey Lewis bowled a good spell runs were coming at the required rate.
Neil, replacing DG, was attacked almost immediately and hit to leg and straight for
quite a few boundries in his first few overs. As is often the case in these type of situations our usually sound fielding is effected and by the time mid innings drinks are taken the score stands at 120ish for 1. 7 an over required.
First over after drinks sees Neil hit for 2 more boundries before bowling Stevens with
the last delivery. DG returns to replace Neil and with Bunny coming on at the other end some sort of control is resumed for a handful of overs.
Yeomans who had been batting very well but in a restrained way now takes centre
stage and with the help of younger players in supporting roles ensures that the asking
rate is maintained. Bunny eventually is taken to task as well as the returning vice and
helped by a dubious stumping decision plays a magnificent skippers innings and finishes carrying his bat for 146. Target reached with 9 balls remaining 256-4.
I doubt whether we will see such a worthy innings against us this season. Whilst accepting that mistakes were made along the way, it still took a remarkable effort from my opposite number to halt our good run. Good on him.
Providing we keep positive and upbeat there is no reason why we cannot mount another challenge for the top 2 places.
Hatfield Peverel Cricket Club 2nd XI Batting
255 for 6
SWF II Bowling
SWF II Batting
256 for 4
Hatfield Peverel Cricket Club 2nd XI Bowling