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A summary of the Sonning CC 3rd XI 2007 season
The final league positions showed Sonning as runners-up by a comfortable margin, thereby ensuring promotion for the second successive year, but the winning margins in several matches were distinctly uncomfortable. These nail-biting finishes, along with the wretched weather, which caused the cancellation of five successive fixtures [akin to a Siberian winter mid-season break!] will perhaps be the main recollections for many of the team members.
Our season concluded with a celebratory ale at 6 pm in The White Hart at Welford Park, having just secured our fifth win on the bounce, a late surge of form that put us within touching distance of the league champions, Crown Wood. The significance of the time was that, apart from a high-scoring encounter against Twyford, all of our matches finished before six o’clock, so facilitating an early start to the evening’s drinking! Naturally, this was agreeable to all, in particular to Phil Wilding (Thing) who was in serious training for the Tour (when, I’m told, he scored consumed more than 100 tinnies!). What was unusual was that there were only ten of us to toast our success, this being the only match when we did not manage to field a full side.
So, with back-to-back promotions, was this the strongest 3rd XI to wear the Sonning CC’s colours? Well, maybe not on paper, but as a collective unit, quite possibly. 33 players turned out for the team, including Jason Brown [Jason], who, at 11.30 on a Friday evening, volunteered his services whilst propped up at the bar at the New Inn in Kidmore End….it was only the next morning [he wasn’t capable the previous evening] that he informed me that this would be his first game of cricket, ever!
As well as the weather and tight finishes, there are many humorous memories, some of which I have tried to recount but first of all I’d like to thank all of the players who turned out for the cause: I think we had a bit of fun along the way!
May 5 v. Twyford – Away. Lost by 1 wicket
The pipe-opener was a derby clash at Twyford, a fixture we had won last season by 9 wickets. By way of symmetry, as Twyford’s last man swung mightily to mid-wicket, the resulting four left us losing the match by one wicket. That it was this close had seemed improbable for all but the last 15 minutes of the game, so the loss was particularly frustrating.
After losing the toss – for the last time this season! - we were put in, and all appeared to be in order as the openers compiled 10: but, after three overs, the infamous Twyford track was already displaying its inconsistencies, which were to trouble all of the batsmen throughout this low-scoring game. Undaunted, Neil Forrest was in full attack mode (does he know anything else?) but went for only 6 after aiming at the mid-wicket boundary once too often. 14 for 1 became 17 for 3 as the captain and Mark Anderson [Anners] fell for ducks. Fortunately, Ali Driver [Ali] remained his usual phlegmatic self as he witnessed this carnage from the other end and, with Steve Banning [Banjo], set about restoring the position. Taking blows to various parts of their upper bodies, including Ali’s helmet [that’s the one on his head!] and a great deal of skill, they added 26 valuable runs before Ali was adjudged lbw for 19, with the total 43 for 4. Much entertainment then followed as George Wilton [Wilts] blasted 3 fours and, with the watchful Banjo, put on 38 before falling for 12. Banjo (22) soon followed, as we slipped to 81 for 6. They had been undone by the same bowler, who then took the remaining 4 wickets in 7 balls, finishing with 7-2 off 5 overs! Whilst all this was going on, Anners appeared to be in excruciating pain as he paced the boundary with his fag packet-sized radio pressed against his ear, anxiously tracking the score from St Andrews as Birmingham pressed for promotion.
With a target of just 87, Twyford were cruising at 78 for 5 with just nine runs require for victory. On the brink of victory, their batsman appeared to freeze and added only seven runs from the next 8 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Banjo and Anners (5-13 off 9) were turning the screw and were supported by some memorable catches: but their last pair dragged them over the line, so denying us at the last gasp!
May 12 v. Crown Wood – Home
Match cancelled. Rain
May 19 v. Sulhampstead – Away. Won by 7 wickets
In my absence vice-captain, Keith Denyer [Arsene], led the side to victory by a resounding 7 wickets. Arsene managed to win the toss and opted to field. According to the scorebook, the weather was ‘a bit sweaty round the jockey during their innings but turning grey and chilli during our reply’ - hot whichever way you look at it!
We dismissed Sulhampstead for 199, Banjo taking 3-27, Dan Medhurst [Dan] 2-26 and, on debut, Matt Baglow 2-48. Victory was a stroll, with Ali and Matt in commanding form, putting on 171 for the first wicket! Is this a Sonning 3rd XI league record? I suspect so. Ali fell for 59, but Matt stayed put, finishing on 99 not out. Not surprisingly this was the last we saw of Matt, who spent the remainder of the season in the 1st XI.
May 26 v. Hawley – Home. Won by 7 wickets
Chasing 131 to win, Sonning powered to victory in just 21 overs culminating in a brutal assault on the Hawley bowling by ‘Butcher’ Banjo and ‘Butcher’ Sam Jennings [of Jennings Butchers!]. Banjo finished on 39* off just 29 balls, and Sam 24* off 12 balls including 5 fours as Sonning raced to victory by 7 wickets.
Hawley’s top order was the most accomplished we had faced so far, five of their top eight batsmen making double figures. Dan and I took the new ball and, between us, bowled ten tidy overs for 29 runs without a breakthrough. Both were then replaced by two wily performers, Don Wilmott [Don], making his first appearance of the season, and Anners [combined age 107!]. Anners was the first to strike, taking two wickets in his second over with variations of pace. Meanwhile, from the driveway end, Don was clicking through the gears, quickly finding a consistent line and length and exerting pressure: in his fourth over he bowled their other opener, for 21. But their fourth wicket put on 50, and they were 98 for 3 when Don deceived the batsman with a slow, in-swinging yorker…. I know, ‘cause by now I was keeping wicket! The fifth wicket then put on another 20 but, showing excellent stamina, Don trapped two more to finish with 4-28 off 10 overs. Tariq chipped in with two late wickets, and the Thing got an lbw verdict to account for their number 11 .
Any run-chase is made easier with a solid foundation and Arsene and Freddie Travers [Freddie] got us off to a solid start, with Freddie dispatching 7 fours, featuring some orthodox off drives - a rare sight in division 5 cricket! - before falling for 35. Victory was secured by 5.56pm…. perfect!
June 2 v. Goring – Away. Won by 3 wickets
This roller-coaster of a game made one positively giddy! Put in, Goring were 0-1 after Don’s second delivery, which nipped back through the gate to dismiss their skipper for a duck. In marched their number three, who was sporting a Real Madrid football shirt and black trainers……well, if he didn’t look the part he certainly put bat to ball with a resounding crack, and quickly raced to 10, a good effort on an incredibly slow outfield, before Don trapped him lbw. Goring continued to go after our bowling for the next half-hour, and at 63 for 4 looked set to post a challenging total. However Don, again displaying excellent fitness, bowled throughout to take 5-30, Anners took three more, and Goring were dismissed for 79 in only 24 overs.
The league rules dictate that we had to bat for 18 overs before tea; almost enough to sew up a win! After missing last week’s encounter, Ali was restored to the opener’s slot and, in partnership with Freddie, all started smoothly. With few alarms and good running between the wickets, we were 13-0 after 5 overs. The atmosphere, already made volatile by their skipper’s attacking field-setting and a lot of noise from their fielders, was cranked up by the fall of Ali’s wicket, and made more intense as 17 for 1 became 22 for 3, and 47 for 5 by tea.
We then lost another two wickets for only four runs, and all seemed lost! The home team had their tails up and their opening bowlers were firing on all cylinders. At this point it is worth reflecting on the position. Thing was padded up, not a reassuring sight, and although Don, our next man in, was looking remarkably calm, he had not batted since last season and we still required another 31. Whilst I have never under-estimated Anners’ potential as a batsman – a quick glance at the Sonning Wisden (Trout’s amazing website) shows how few opportunities he’s had in recent seasons - his only innings this season had been a first-baller at Twyford and he certainly wasn’t in the most positive frame of mind as he went out to join Dave. Dave was looking every inch a brochure boy, having been ‘Maliked’ (a term coined by Dave himself to describe somebody who’s been lured to Malik Cricket Sports in Slough and had their wallet relieved of its contents – legally!): he had not set foot on a cricket pitch for eighteen years and had bought the complete caboodle, from socks to bat, to cricket bag etc, etc.! Indeed, he was knocking his bat in with a few lobbed deliveries immediately before the game!
So, there I was on the boundary, wondering how we had got ourselves into this mess. After racing to victory the previous week by 7 wickets, scoring over 200 for the loss of only three wickets in the game before that, here we were staring at certain defeat chasing 80.
Mark and Dave were initially cautious, watching every ball as if it were their last, head still, playing down the line, and it was this patience and resulting stalemate which led to a crucial bowling change. Their skipper decided to bring himself on and Anners, sensing an opportunity to attack, advanced down the wicket and punched his second delivery past mid- on for four. This alleviated some of the tension and was immediately followed by two wides. Next over, Dave picked up two off a top edge, struck the next delivery firmly for two more, followed by a well-run three. The following few overs yielded further runs before Anners pulled a four past square-leg and lifted a six over mid-wicket to bring us home. Easy!
June 9 v Stratfield Turgis – Away
Match cancelled. Opposition could not raise a team
June 16 – no match this weekend
June 23 v Shinfield – Away
Match cancelled. Rain
June 30 v Welford Park – Home
Match cancelled. Rain.
July 7 v Twyford – Home. Lost by 57 runs
At last the sun came out and, as we reconvened after a five week-long interruption, it felt like the start of the season: as skipper, I felt it my first duty to re-introduce the players to each other as they arrived!
With nearly 500 runs scored off just 80 overs it was an entertaining day’s cricket, but Sonning were on the back foot throughout. After being inserted, Twyford made a steady start. New ball duties were shared between Dan, Thing and Steve Murray [Steve], a Blue Coat pupil making his Saturday debut for the Club. Steve made the initial breakthrough, inducing their opener to chase a wide delivery, which was smartly taken by Dave standing up: but we were conceding over a run a ball, and they were 65 for 1 off just 10 overs. Thing bowled a typical tight spell of 8 overs for 17 runs, but they were able to milk Banjo’s flighted deliveries, and their second wicket sailed past 100. Enter the skipper, who turned things around by rooting out four batsmen in just 5 overs. However, the run-rate was maintained with a barrage of boundaries from their number 4 and useful support from their tail, which was eventually winkled out by Freddie and Ali, at which point they’d amassed 264.
Sonning’s reply didn’t start well, Bill Travers [Bill], playing his first game for us of the season, got a leading edge for a duck with 17 on the board. Characteristically, Ali (32) maintained a fierce level of concentration, and Ryan Wilson [Ryan] made a spirited, but all-too-brief 20. Banjo got stuck into the bowling, and received support from Freddie, and then the skipper: but crease-occupation was needed and, at 135 for 5 with another 132 required, our prospects were not bright. Banjo was joined by Dave who, having guided us to victory on his previous appearance, was in a bullish mood: he and Banjo quickly put on 50, and we were 190 for 5. Then, Dave played around a straight delivery to fall lbw for 29, to be followed by Banjo in the next over, caught on the boundary for a well-constructed 62, and the game was up. Arsene and Dan defiantly blasted some late boundaries, but we were all out in just 36 overs for 207, of which 164 had come in boundaries!
July 14 v Crown Wood – Away. Lost by 6 runs
Despite the previous week’s loss, a win against top-of-the-table, Crown Wood, would put us in a good league position.
In my absence, Arsene took over and put them in. The first wicket was a run-out, the next three went to Don, and the remaining six to Anners (for 26), which added up to Crown Wood being dismissed for just 102. However, this included 15 wides - none by the wicket takers – and this gift was to prove crucial.
After Arsene and Ryan had gone in the first nine overs, Sonning’s reply began to build a momentum with Ali (15) as watchful as ever, and Banjo (23) continuing his fine form. Both were picking off the singles, punctuated by the odd boundary. At 59 for 2 after 28 overs, we were in the box seat, but then committed the cardinal sin of losing two established batsmen in quick succession, so exposing our ring-rusty middle order. Only Don, with a spirited and orthodox 16, held them up, and we were eventually dismissed for 95.
This result left us in mid-table, having played six games. We had tasted defeat and victory in equal measure, but we had no doubt that we could easily hold our ground in the division and, with a bit of luck, start to climb the league.
July 21 v Sulhampstead – Home
Match cancelled. Rain.
July 28 v Hawley – Away. Won by 8 wickets
A sunny day greeted us at Pound Lane as we assembled for our departure to Blackwater near Camberley. Only a couple of the team had previously played at Hawley, and knew the route, so the intention was to travel in strict convoy formation thus ensuring we either all got there or we all got lost! Banjo and the Thing followed usual practice going under their own steam and were no doubt already ensconced in a favoured watering-hole near the ground. Meanwhile, the regimented approach to our travel arrangements had fallen apart at the very first junction! A busy A4 at the Pound Lane roundabout resulted in our three vehicles decoupling, and so each set off on their own meandering route towards Camberley! Fortunately, all three arrived in good time, as had Banjo and the Thing, who was by now already warming up for the rigorous drinking regimen of the tour to Cardiff the following week.
Two players were making their debut for the 3rd XI, twins, Naqas and Waqas Tahir. Whilst not identical, their similarity was enough to confuse the skipper throughout this game, and indeed the season, culminating in an amusing mix-up in the last match! More of that later!
With the wicket expected to play low and slow, which it did, Hawley were asked to bat first, and almost immediately Waqas made a breakthrough, trapping one of their openers lbw for a duck. At the other end Thing was his tidy self, bowling a probing line and length. However, whilst chasing down [yes, you read it right!] the ball just inside the boundary rope, he turned his ankle, and had to retire to the bar changing-room! This was not before he had bowled one delivery of his fourth over, which the skipper completed. In tandem with Waqas, I, and then Dan Medhurst, continued to bowl a searching line and length, but without success, and they passed 50 without too much difficulty. Clearly, a change of pace was called for, and Anners (4-23) duly obliged with his first delivery! Playing too early, the Hawley’s number 3 offered a simple return catch for 28, which turned out to be their top score – apart from 35 extras!. In the next over, Waqas (5-30 off 15), who had been plugging away for 8 overs without reward, took two wickets with successive balls and thereafter wickets fell at regular intervals. Some lusty blows by their number nine batsman lifted their total to 120.
Returning to the pavilion for tea, we were greeted by Thing, who, in the absence of any ice, had strapped two cans of lager to his sore ankle to reduce the swelling, while consuming the other four! This put us in good humour for our run- chase. Ali and Naqas opened, and the former was soon into his stride, creaming a couple of fours past deep gully, and after just four overs we had reached 20. The rate of scoring slowed over the next few overs but both batsman looked comfortable. Ali then appeared to play around a straight one, and was bowled for 18. Freddie immediately made his intentions clear [perhaps under the instructions of his father intent on maintaining our run of 6 o’clock finishes!] by crashing two fours. Unfortunately he was then run out, responding to a call for a single which was never there. Banjo joined Naqas, and was again soon into his stride. Both he and Naqas were finding the boundary regularly, and any thought of a mid-innings wobble was quickly dismissed. A beautifully struck aerial four by Naqas through the covers took our total past 100 and brought up the 50 partnership.
Meanwhile, Thing had persuaded the tea-lady to open the bar early as he had consumed all of his medication. With the runs and beer flowing freely, the sun setting in the early evening sky, Thing, supported by Dave, was singing passable Barmy Army renditions, which echoed around the ground! Not surprisingly, the home team’s determination and enthusiasm waned quickly in the face of this barracking, and a barrage of boundaries from the blades of Naqas (45*) and Banjo (28*) sealed victory with a flourish.
With other results going our way, we were now fourth in the league, just behind Twyford but some way adrift of Welford Park in third place.
August 4 v Goring Home. Won by 1 wicket
Chasing 140 to win, our innings had spluttered to 118 for 8, which was in reality 9 because Ryan Pownall had already departed for bar duties at the Bull. So, as Richard Pownall [Richard], in his first league season, and having had little opportunity to date to build some confidence with the bat, strode to the wicket a further 22 were still needed. Nigel Jackson [Jacko] was at the other end, a 1st team batsman in the making, but he had yet to face a ball. With the Goring players sensing victory, there was plenty of verbals as they did everything to unsettle our two young lads. Their response far exceeded expectation. I can see now the straightness of Richard’s bat, defiant in defence and a perfect foil to Nigel’s more cavalier style. To start with, singles were taken, good balls kept out, nothing in the air, not a hint of a chance. With great patience, they inched the score to 130, then a couple of twos and a stroked six back over the bowler’s head by Jacko secured victory! Life is shaped on defining moments, and so it is with sport and, perhaps, especially in cricket, where the ascendancy can swing back and forth several times in the course of a game. That last wicket stand of 22 was definitely one of the defining passages of play of the season and ultimately secured the runners-up spot in the league.
Removing Goring for just 139 had seemed to be an unlikely achievement earlier in the afternoon. We took the field with just nine players. I had spent the half-hour immediately before the start of play speaking to a number of the team on their mobiles as they roared back up the M4 from Cardiff. Judging by their appearance, a number of the lads had obviously not found a bed the previous night and, with the sun beating down from a cloudless sky, their effort and stamina in the field was commendable. This was equally so for John Talbot [Talby], making his first and only appearance of the season. The fact that he finished the match at all was amazing!. Naqas and Jacko had opened the bowling and, despite playing and missing repeatedly, Goring quickly reached 40 without loss, the wicket playing beautifully. More in hope than anything, I brought myself on, bowled a long-hop first ball, which was smartly hooked straight to Talby at backward square, where he took what should have been a routine catch: trouble was, it was at the expense of his right index finger, which immediately doubled in size, and later proved to be broken. Nevertheless, after a brief respite in the pavilion, he was back out on the field ready for more action. Almost immediately, he was chasing down a boundary and stopping the ball just inside the rope. In one smooth action, he stooped, swivelled and threw [well sort of, as his arm has long since gone!] the ball back to Dave behind the stumps, releasing a howl of pain as he did sol. Diagnosis - groin strain! Assigned slip duties, Talby bravely carried on. Meanwhile, Naqas had been nibbling away with success to the tune of four wickets, and Simon Brooks bowled unchanged through to the finish, and also took four with his well-flighted off- spin. Throughout his 9 over spell, Simon showed excellent control and will, I am sure, take a stack of wickets for the seconds and firsts in due course.
The atmosphere in our dressing room at tea was definitely sombre, and a few other things! 17 for 3, Ali, Naqas, and Dave Allen all deemed to be lbw by me, the skipper. Naturally, I was the toast of the opposition! Fortunately, the middle-order steadied the innings after tea, but each partnership was broken as it was promising more, leading to the heroics of our last pair. The dependable Banjo contributed 30, and the stricken Talby top-scored with a typically determined 33. However, this wasn’t without further injury, this time a ripped thigh muscle, which necessitated a runner! See you next season, Talby!
August 11 v Stratfield Turgis Home. Won by 3 wickets
Combined age of our opening bowling attack, 110 years, combined age of our batsmen, who took the score from 95 to the winning line, 35! For the second week running, Richard [cometh the hour cometh the man!] set about retrieving what looked like another lost cause, this time with dynamic Dan. The joy on their faces as they sat in our changing-room, lapping up the deserved thanks from the rest of the boys, was great to see.
Set 136 to win, our top order misfired again and, with half of our wickets down for 38, we appeared to have undone all of the hard work, especially Don’s, who had bowled almost throughout their innings, taking 6-36. A sixth wicket stand of 52 by the skipper and Don wrested the advantage marginally, only for them to fall in quick succession with the total on 95. So, with 41 still required and only three wickets [which included Jason, who had never batted before!] left, the situation looked decidedly unpromising as Richard strode out to join Dan with the usual good luck messages ringing in his ears. What followed next was completely off script. Yes, a few defensive shots to get the feel of the bowling and wicket but, suddenly, a barrage of boundaries. They made 38 in five overs, Dan finishing on 27* and Richard 8*, to leave Goring and their band of supporters cursing.
This third consecutive win propelled us to third in the league which in itself sharpened us up as we chased an automatic promotion spot.
August 25 v Shinfield Home. Won by 1 wicket
If the last three weeks measured seven out of ten on the tension scale, then this game was a maximum!
So what fine mess did we get ourselves into this time? Chasing just 97 to win, we had somehow contrived to collapse to 74 for 8. Our batting card was mostly marked out in binary, with 0s and 1s the predominant figures apart from Freddie, who opened the innings and made 12. Dave was still at the crease with 8, having watched a procession of batsmen lose their heads, and their wickets, but whilst he was there we had a chance. Obviously, we needed someone to stay with him! Next man in was Matt Hill [Matt], aged 12, and then Thing. So, with all due respect, the position seemed lost, and with it any prospect of finishing runners-up which, after our recent run of success, would have been very disappointing.
The following thirty minutes or so was captivating viewing. Run by run, Dave and Matt inched us towards the target, showing a cool head and great bravery respectively. To start with, the bowlers respectfully reduced their pace when bowling to Matt, but became less considerate as he held firm. Taking some blows to the body and a particularly nasty one on the hand, Matt didn’t flinch once and, encouraged by Dave, who was craftily picking off the runs, the improbable became possible. With just five runs required, Matt’s brave resistance finally ended. In their stand of 20, Matt had scored one run, but his contribution was equal to a half century or more. Fortunately for Thing, Matt had been out to the final ball of the over, and so he found sanctuary at the non-strikers end. Dave, sensing the moment, turned the first ball of the over for two and then, a couple of deliveries later, crashed a boundary past extra cover. He finished on 21*, nearly half the runs scored by the rest of the team, extras totalling 41! Clearly, this was another defining moment of the season, and a draw in our final game would be enough to secure second place in the league.
To have dismissed Shinfield for just 96 was again an excellent achievement by both the bowlers and fielders. At the toss, their captain was exceptionally confident about their batting on a wicket which was expected to, and did, play well. Thing and I shared the new ball, and we both bowled tidily, Thing took 2-17 off 9, and Ali took a good catch behind off my bowling.
Anners replaced me at the Adwest end and Dan Adkins [Adko] making his debut, came on at the driveway end. Like Anners, Adko is an off-spinner, with previous experience at Finchampstead. Showing great control, he and Anners combined to run through their innings, capturing the remaining seven wickets for 40.
There was much celebrating back at Pound Lane on the back of this victory. All contributed in the field, but clearly special mention must go to Dave and Matt, a fantastic partnership and ultimately a memorable victory. Matt, how good did that feel?!
September 1 v Welford Park Away – Won by 6 wickets
What did we do before mobile phones? Owing to a late departure from Pound Lane [those who caused this, please take note!] I was not able to reach their ground by the appointed time for the toss. Fortunately, I was able to contact Arsene, (hands-free phone, police take note) who was already on site and maintained our run by calling right and sticking them in.
With the football season already upon us, it was a real struggle to get a team together, so many thanks to Bill for coming out from ‘The Smoke’, and to Matthew Evans [Matthew] making his debut, so that we were only one short.
Waqas and Thing opened the bowling, but neither had much success and, furthermore, Waqas’ aberrant radar was boosting their extras: after four ineffectual overs, he was replaced by Matthew (Hants. and Hartley Wintney). Thing kept chugging away at the other end, as economical as ever. Bowling with great pace, Matthew clearly unsettled the Welford batters but was somewhat unlucky, and a little expensive: he did however manage to induce a flat-footed edge from their number 3 and ‘keeper, Dave, took a tidy catch.
Mulling over my bowling options, I decided to give Naqas a go and, during Matthew’s last over, I nipped over and told him to get warmed up. Thing wheeled through the next over, his last before being replaced by Adko. Exchanging words with Naqas at a distance, we agreed on a couple of changes in the field as he walked back to the start of his run-up. I should have realised at this stage something was not right, but shouted out to the scorers, ‘change of bowler……bowler’s name, Naqas’. By this time Naqas was running in, and it was only then that I realised that I’d mistaken Waqas for Naqas! Since the opposition were at this stage 91 for 3, and that Waqas had bowled poorly in his opening spell, I was torn between removing him immediately, or saving face and concealing the mistaken identity! Naturally, I opted for the latter, appearances being everything, and crossed my fingers! Four balls later, my bowling change looked to have a Napoleonic touch as their skipper offering a simple caught-and-bowled chance. The wicket transformed Waqas and he bowled with controlled hostility, continually asking questions of the batsmen – one of the spells of the season - and finished with 4-41 off 14 overs. Adko (4-28), meanwhile, was having a lot of fun turning the ball almost sideways to which their lower order had no answer. From 91 for 3, they collapsed to 128 all out.
At the tea interval, I took great care to select the correct twin to opening the batting with Bill! With another modest target, could we manage to avert yet another implosion and save ourselves a nerve-wracking conclusion?! After the early loss of Bill and Adko, Naqas and Dave set about settling our nerves but, having played shots all round the wicket and looking very comfortable, Naqas missed a straight one and was adjudged lbw for 29: in their partnership of 25, Dave had been very circumspect and was yet to get off the mark. Matthew came out to join him and, as if to show him how it was done, immediately struck a 6, followed by two fours! Perhaps it was the thought of early beer, Dave went for another maximum but was this time he was caught on the boundary for 16, leaving us 88 for 4. I then joined Matthew, who was making batting look very simple, and we upped the tempo. A single to midwicket brought the scores level and me to the striker’s end! Telling myself not to look stupid by trying to finish the season in a blaze of glory, the bowler obliged with a leg-side wide!
Further memories – observations of the season….
- Seven ducks in our opening fixture against Twyford!
- Talby sustains three injuries in one game!
- Giving Jason some batting practice….the idea is to use the bat Jason – we weren’t trying to play football!
- Arsene’s flat footed, cross batted six through extra cover at home to Twyford. It went like a tracer bullet!
- At the culmination of the home game against Shinfield. Barrier across the entrance locked in the down position!
- Chasing 99 to win against Shinfield which we won by one wicket….thank goodness for extras which totalled 41!
- Anners 500th league victim – caught at cover by Dan Medhurst…..
Lastly my special thanks to a member of the team who missed only one home game…. Chrissie Wilding, without whom a number of our batting performances may well have fallen short.
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