AVCC vs Marden, Sunday 18 May
Well, we've constructed a solid base from which to improve - or so went the general conversation in the pub afterwards.
The bare match facts show that Marden scored 178 for 8 off their 35 overs. AVCC could only manage 55 all out off 17. The only way is up.
For all our work in the nets, batsmen were vulnerable to the straight ball. Added to that, the wicket was a little slow and foxy, but the truth is that Marden managed the conditions better. I remember saying much the same thing last year, but there's nothing like match practice for improving.
For a more self confident batting unit, 178 was not a bad result to chase. The Marden openers got off to brisk start, but were reined back by a good spell of slow medium from Graham Newland (7.33.2). Peter Williams also bowled well towards the business end (6.27.2) and Tim Gent showed a bit of flair with late legspin (3.13.1), but the pick was new-boy Paul Glibbery (5.11.1) bowling medium pace. However a rush-of-blood fielding incident brought his spell to an untimely end. We await medical reports with some trepidation. Youth prospect Macauley Southard caught a good catch at mid-off, and the fielding, despite no one signing up for the skippers 7am practice sessions, wasn't bad - let's gloss over the dropped catches in the last over.
The batting was less good. The openers fail to trouble the scorers. Matt White (new-boy) opened with a superb six. Ben Eveling looked the part and quite comfortable, but no one played 'an innings'. Too many were bowled. I have to report that extras top-scored with 17.
The pitch, the new pavilion, the outfield all looked fantastic. The game was played as a memorial match for fine Upavon/Marden cricketer, Richard Cox who died 10 years ago. Marden are a pleasure to play against and provide us with a number of useful cricketing lessons.
Many thanks to Nikki Vesey for a fantastic tea and to Nigel Wookey for preparing the wicket (amongst a number of other things).