Stubborn Concorde leads to deadlock
Last
Sunday saw us entertain 54th.OCA, the team that is always on the fixture
card, but seldom seen . Rain has thwarted us many times in recent seasons
but this fixture produced nearly 370 runs and ended in an honourable draw.
Our visitors batted first and made a solid start with the openers putting
on 84 for the first wicket before Mike Stockbridge took a great catch at
deep mid on. With the 'old war-horses' , J.J.B.Wright and myself, operating
at both ends, we managed to frustrate the batsmen and a number of rash shots
and good catching reduced them to 101-4.However a productive stand of 69,
and some late slogging took the visitors to 200-6 at tea. It felt about
25-30 runs too many and so it proved. Bowling figures were Ashley Westen
8-0-35-0, Matt H. 5-0-39-0, Jerry W. 12-2-39-0, Edgar F. 8-0-28-1, Toby
C.5-0-27-1, and myself 11-3-25-4. Both Matt and Toby took a bit of stick,
esp. at the end but will grow in confidence the more they play and I intend
to give them both every encouragement. The fielding was much better this
week with only one dropped catch I can remember, with Ashley , Matt and
Jerry S. particularly prominent. In the absence of Howard and Mick, Keith
Green came out of retirement to make a guest appearance behind the stumps
and did very well , taking a diving catch in front of first slip off the
writer.
After tea we found ourselves facing a good opening attack ,and found
quick scoring very difficult on a slow pitch and very slow outfield. However
a new opening pairing of Jerry S. and Edgar F. put on 57 for the first
wicket.Jerry S. perished for a good 33, in the chase for runs and Edgar
went on to make 54 , his first half century in only his third game of
the season after years away from the game. Having bowled a good spell
earlier it capped a very good day for Edgar and I am delighted to have
recruited him. 
Jerry W. continued his excellent form so far with the bat,
making 39 before falling to a brilliant catch for the second week running,
and Ashley made a quick 14 but really arrived at the crease too late to
influence the result with 80 runs needed from less than 10 overs. In the
end we finished on 167-5, with Brian H. and Mike St. not out.