Win despite batting collapse

I am pleased to report a return to winning ways last Sunday at Broadbridge Heath, following the two narrow defeats in previous weeks. Once again, we lost the toss & were asked to bat. We went into the match without Edgar, Jerry and Nick but posted a decent score of 182 all out on a slow pitch which was not easy to bat on, with the odd ball 'stopping', some keeping low, and some popping. We made an excellent start with an opening stand of 83 (only one less than our opening stand there 3 years ago), with Mick Reeve putting recent disappointments behind him with 23, and Dave F. returning to form with 61 including 11 boundaries. We tried to lose the initiative by slumping to 117-4, but a timely stand between Jerry S., playing sheet anchor, and 15 yr. old debutante Angus Symondson, who struck 26, including two big sixes, steadied the ship. The tail didn't wag this week, with Matt H. joining the Mallard candidates, and Bill Cripps & myself just avoiding a similar fate with just a single each. Rob Symondson, who had been drafted in to bolster the batting, made just seven but got 'high' on Angus's innings instead.

After tea, we set to the task of bowling them out with only five bowlers and no spinner! It actually worked out very well with Ashley & Robin bowling good opening spells, reducing the home side to 47-4, which enabled me to give both Matt & Toby an earlier bowl , before bowling myself and bringing back Ash at the death. Fielding was better this week, with very good catches being taken by Matt, Toby, Angus and Jerry S. (although he did drop another, proving he may have the best hands in the club but is human!). They were all out for 128, giving us victory by 54 runs with 8 overs to spare.