Fun in the Sun
I have the great privilege of reporting to you a crushing victory last Sunday at home to Chiddingfold. Not since Nelson's fleet 'broke the line' to outflank the French fleet at Trafalgar, or Montgomery's desert rats sent Rommel's Afrika Corps packing at El Alamein, has a sweeter moment had to be reported.
It all started very differently, as the visitors arrived at 1.20pm, all wearing matching shirts & caps like a proper team, and included three Cambridge graduates who had travelled down for the match. They were all 17-27 years old, and very fit. I don't think we have met a fitter, younger side. Upon winning the toss I took the massively popular decision to bowl first (in 85 degree heat) as I felt this would give us our best chance to win the match.
The first 8 overs produced over 50 runs with the writer (forced to open the bowling in the absence of Alex), taking particular punishment. The opposition openers were very positive and this was helped by a lightning fast outfield. However the tide turned when Ashley W. took the opening bat at deep point (two balls after acting vice-capt JJBW suggested I drop him back) and soon after Jerry S. took a great catch at cover off a full blooded drive from the Chiddingfold skipper. Three further wickets fell before the opposition reached 100 with Nick Wright taking a skier off yours truly and Jerry S. taking another fine diving catch at cover. Jerry W. and Toby C. then frustrated the batsmen with tight bowling at both ends. Chiddingfold carefully batted themselves through the last hour to reach 174 before two quick wickets from Paul R. took us to tea. Bowling figures were:
Ashley W. 11-0-40-2, Jerry W. 13-3-26-2, Toby C. 7-2-24-1,
Edgar F. 3-0-14-0, Paul R. 2-0-6-2,
and myself 7-0-49-3.
Chasing 175 in one hour plus 20 overs looked daunting, particularly when the first 12 overs produced only 14runs. Nick W. then stopped a full length ball with his box rather than bat and left the field to recover. The rest is history. Edgar F., who had taken 40mins to get off the mark, played himself in, grew in confidence and formed an excellent partnership with Ashley W. They then slowly but surely strangled the opposition attack and finished 65n.o. & 75 n.o. respectively, and we won with 5 overs to spare. It must be a club record, over 150 stand, and was great to see. Mick R. spent another Sunday p.m. padded up for hours without getting in, and all the batsmen were clicking their heels. Personally, I loved it..