Winterbourne v AVCC
A close game that could have gone either way, eventually went the wrong way, but the blow was softened by the bar in our hosts' pavilion.
Well we took the field on Sunday away to Winterbourne. Delightful setting. They are like us, but starting 2-3 years ago, and now with a pavilion (complete with bar!), sight screens, covers etc, and a decent (young) side. If you looked closely (or not) you could still discover sheep-s**t on the pitch as it returns to agricultural use out of season.
Under grey skies, a stiff breeze and the threat of rain we took the field to bat first. Captain's fault....we lost the toss. No one expected to complete the game given the weather but we took the field with enthusiasm.
We actually batted out our 40 overs, scoring 171-9. Dudley Perrin (not yp) produced the highlight of the innings with 57. He was advised by his captain that the pitch looked like scoring in 1's or 4's. So Dudley smashed 2 mighty 6"s on the leg side and 7 4's to minimise the running, and anchored our mid-innings.
Earlier, Paddy Bond opened with Tim Gent. Paddy was overheard to state his strategy to pace himself. This resulted in him hitting 3 mighty 4's in his first over received, and then getting run out seeking an ambitious second run in his next over. After that, our run rate reduced and we struggled to build partnerships...however, Nigel Spink got 16, Graham 11, Harry Flack 10, and it was great to see young Tom Law looking very composed with 17 not out despite the attentions of the whole Winterbourne field close by every time he was at strike trying (unsuccessfully) to intimidate him. Tim Gent was still commenting on a dodgy umpiring decision (made by some guy called Paddy, taking time off from the Ashes) some hours later that deprived us of his services (allegedly) prematurely on 9.
Tea was brilliant. Peter Kosminksy kindly brought along luscious cakes and yummy chocolate biscuits (well done!) to add to their good tea.....mini cornish pasties, lots of sandwiches, more cake, water melon, scones etc. Difficult to get up to face the worsening breeze and cold outside. Finding sweaters also proved a chore to face the occasion.
So we took the field, and immediately things brightened up. First ball, Tim Law bowled a menacing ball and Angus Hartley took a smart catch. In the second over, we got an excellent run-out created by quick acting Paddy and executed by Bruce Carter. 2-2! We were looking good. However, their 3rd wicket pair knew what they were doing and they smashed 80 runs off us in quick time, mainly through 4's. Although the ball dropped invitingly close to our fielders on 5-6 occasions they got away from us during that period. Tim Law, Morgan Holder and Harry Flack all worked hard to keep the batsmen in check and all had chances narrowly dropping short.
Tim and Harry both looked particularly hostile and dangerous. However, it was Paddy that made the break through getting their danger-man for 45, and then Harry followed this up with their other danger man who was out on 34. Paddy led the bowling figures with 2-26, and Tim Law did excellently with 2-30, both from 8 overs each. Harry (1-29) and Morgan (0-40) deserved more wickets as they caused numerous batsman errors. Although we pegged their run rate back (Graham even bowled a maiden), they passed our total having lost 7 wickets with just 3 overs to spare. If we could have just held onto any of the 4 difficult catches dropped in the last 10 overs we might have pulled it off, as we felt with a break through we could have bowled them out.
So, we fell just short. We probably needed another 30 runs or not dropping our catches to have taken it to the wire and won. Although 25 extras against us didn't help our cause...a number of these came from pedantic, uncharitable and erratic umpiring calls on wides.
We found their bar invaluable, and a number of us availed ourselves of its services during the game and after. Very social!
Overall, a good day's cricket. We look and feel competitive as a team, and the game could have gone either way. Heads were up at the end, despite the result, and we look forward to playing Burbage next week.