This week we found ourselves playing our last home game of the season – firstly big thank you to Clare and Simon for doing teas all season – they have been great and are very much appreciated.
Looking at the team we had out, the slightly damp pitch (with the forecast looking better as the day went on) and the added bonus of annoying Adam I took the bold decision to bowl first.
Bhups bowled the first over and with his 2nd or 3rd ball cleaned up their opener with a fantastic delivery. Charlie opened up from the other end and in truth struggled to find his rhythm. We will blame Mrs Stirling for creating a successful cake business!!! Although judging by how big his son is already we have an opening bowler for the future!!
League debutant ‘Mo’ came on to replace Charlie from the ‘Mackay end’ and bowled a solid spell, picking up 1 wicket. Ian ‘best bowler in the club’ Jeavons replaced Bhups and also bowled well although was hit for a daddy six back over his head and dropped a caught n bowled chance. At this point Ploughmans were ticking along well and their opener played a great innings to bring up his 50. With them around 80-2 at drinks I can’t deny I was a little nervous that bowling first may have been the wrong option! Luckily for me (and more importantly the team) Jeavons once again stepped up and dismissed their best batsman with a ball that nipped off the seam and cleaned bowled him. Must say this was a huge wicket in the overall context of the game. With their batting line up beginning to creak I brought myself on (no surprise there). I bowled a tight line and picked up 3 relatively quick wickets. Bav from the other end bowled a great spell, creating numerous chances and looked dangerous with every delivery. One over had 3 drop catches in it alone. Even with these drops Bav managed to pick up 2 wickets from 7 overs. A quick mention to Bav who is a mix between quiet off the field and an absolute nut case on it. Almost every ball greeted with him either swearing, flinging himself on the ground or generally infuriated but something or other (all in a good spirit). Great passion although not always child friendly! Well bowled Bav.
All in all their innings finished 149 all out.
At tea there was a mixture of confidence and nervousness as some of us still remember the West Byfleet game – for those not around just don’t ask!
Adam and Bhups opened up and got us off to a steady start. Adam hitting a full toss no ball for 4 first ball! Always helpful! Bhups fell cheaply for once (nice to give others a go) for 10 but Adam and Symo carried on the chase. Adam played well for 34 before being caught at slip to a good delivery off the spinner. With the score at 60-2 we still needed 90 to win when I came in to join David Symons Jnr. We ticked the score along nicely and to be fair never really felt in danger of getting out. Big thanks to Symo for helping me through as ‘keeping our heads’ was the only danger we had! Symo stepping in at 3 played a really impressive and smart innings. At a really important time in the season he really stepped up and delivered. Once again showing our strength in depth! With us only needing a few more I decided to ‘go big’ (maybe to stop Symo getting a 50 ) and we knocked off the runs easily with plenty of runs to spare. A big winning margin of 8 wickets! Symo finishing on 41* and myself 40*
Yet another great performance all round we no fewer than 6/7 regulars not available. A big thank you to Stu for stepping in when needed and well played Mo on your league debut.
Cheers
Alex
Park Hill Cricket Club 