Another Sunny Saturday at Bull Meadow to start the second half of the season, the ground starting to look very dry from the lack of rain! Nobby returned as skipper, promptly lost the toss and we were asked to take the field, Liam also coming in for his first game of the season, Sam Bowen and Calien missing.
After 2 overs it was 19-0, mostly brought about in extras that would have made Olly Kendalls blood boil, but from there the new ball pair of Pook and Henge went well. Pook tied down one opener with good control up the Hill and was unlucky his spell didn't bring more than his figures of 1-27, the opener eventually chipping to FGA at mid on. Henge toiled early, but with no success so RK came on to do what he does, grab wickets, this time the Waltham number 3, an eratic innings ended with a cut to Henge in the gully. Cheesey had replaced Pook up the Hill, and the new bat decided padding up was wise, and promptly sent on his way. JFH came on for a spell down the Hill, and apart from one success, a brilliant one handed grab from Pook who was having quite the game, was expensive and Waltham started getting away. Cheese grabbed success, depriving the opener of his maiden hundred, FGA clinging on, before a second LBW gave him finishing figures of 3-40. From here Nobby shuffled his remaining bowlers, JFH grabbing another wicket, this time caught deep by Melman, before switching ends and a 3rd falling to the safe hands of Henge stood on the fence, but for an expensive 71. Henge had taken over down the Hill and finished things off, 2 LBWs given, and Walthan dismissed for a total of 237, which on a hot day and quick outfield, we felt was within our grasp, credit too to the bowlers who having struggled a bit this year, had taken 19 wickets in the last 2 games.
Tea Rating: A feast prepared by Miss Jones, aided by JFH, homemade pasta, sausage rolls, potato salad, Coleslaw and much more enjoyed by all. Hard to be impartial, but a half point knocked off for the flapjack fiasco! 9.5/10
Totham started the reply safely, up until Nobby was undone by a straight one, and from here wickets tumbled, FGA caught, Tommy bowled and Josh caught and bowled for 1 between them, Henge watching the carnage from the other end and trouble at 47-4. That soon became 5 down as Henge was given LBW, Liam on return played a couple of good shots with Nick for company before both then fell, Liam caught and Nick bowled trying to cut, and hope fading at 77-7. Pook, in the unusual position of 8, began the salvage mission with Cheese, and both batted smartly, scoring well and starting to garner control before Cheese was caught at slip from the off spinner. JFH joined Pook, and realised he had lucked into the best seat on the ground, there had been fables of a 'show' in town, and today we saw the first signs of it. Pook unleashed a series of excellent shots, sweeping, pulling and cutting brilliantly, with JFH anchoring the other end, Pook cleared 50 and the partnership reaching 63, JFH contributing a measly 4 but Waltham seemingly starting to worry. The change bowler did for JFH, one shooting low and pinning him LBW, so entered RK for the final chance. The pair carried on well, RK finally hitting his first first team boundary of the year, but when the show finished disappointingly early, Pook falling for 74 from 50 balls, attempting a shot too many, we fell short by 47 runs.
MoM: Annoying has to be Pooky, his bowling spell deserved more, a great catch and a wonderful innings, need to see it more!!
