A second home game in a row saw newly promoted Navestock visit the 2’s at Bull Meadow on a muggy game week 5.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and for the first time in weeks, Totham produced an economical and accurate opening 12 overs, McDonald and Joe Davis conceding just 40 runs in total, but we’re unable to gain a breakthrough. This could have been different if the edge which McDonald induced had gone to hand, or if he had tried using his hands to catch one in the covers rather than his mouth.
Jonny Hewer and Kendall entered the attack and both claimed a wicket in their 4th overs, captain Simmons caught behind off Hewer and Kendall accounted for T.Patel, who is probably still trying to untangle himself. Kendall claimed one more before both ‘spinners’ finished their 10 over spells, leaving Navestock on 122-3 off 32overs. 10 overs and 90 runs later, Navestock has taken charge of this game through the big hitting of M.Patel. Jimmy Hay finally accounted for him for a well played 65, and golden arm struck again as did Harry Banyard, Joe Davis and Matt McDonald. Navestock finished on 235/8 which was 30-40 runs more than they should have got, given our control of the game early on.
There was another good effort for teas this week, Dicko providing plenty of variety in his cake selection.
Dicko and John once again got us off to a good start, some wayward bowling in the first 5 overs was punished seeing us move to 31-0. This became 42-3 after 12 after some poor shots and the spin of P.Patel was proving a real problem for Totham. Wickets continued to fall to the spinners, we had no answer to the accuracy and increasing run rate, only Foxy with a well played 37 had any joy in repelling them. Some sturdy defence from Kendall, who was batting with what sounded like a drain pipe, and some good late hitting from Harry and Jimmy Hay, saw us limp to 151 all out and a paltry 2 batting points.
Another disappointing defeat, especially after bowling and fielding so well for 90% of their innings. We were maybe a seamer light of a full bowling attack but I can’t fault any of the bowlers today. A special mention to Jimmy Hay who once again bowled their best batsman and also scored a good 21 not out to earn a promotion to number 10 next week. With the exception of Foxy our batsmen are giving their wickets away too easy and not batting for long enough. I hope we are improved for next week.
Star Man - Jimmy Hay
Dicko’s Teas Rating - 8/10
