Alex blast just falls short

Another ball goes missing in the deep

On a very hot afternoon, with the boundary even shorter than in previous years, the home side won the toss and elected to bat. On a good batting wicket Alex and Robin L. shared the new ball and both troubled the openers with pace and swing respectively. However, runs will eventually come on such a small ground and the home side reached 66 before Alex made the breakthrough bowling the No.2 bat. The No.1 bat had enjoyed a fair slice of luck coupled with some lusty hitting before Mick R. took a well judged catch at long off, and for a while we the controlled the game with Jerry W. bowling a good spell with myself and Toby keeping it tight at the other end. At 144-5 we felt good but a dogged 60 run partnership saw Chiddingfold reach 204-5 at tea. Highlights were a good
showing by H. behind the stumps, and three good catches in the outfield by Mick R., myself (yes, me)! and most notably a blinding slip catch by debutante Matthew Linnecar. Bowling figs. were Alex C. 13-1-60-1, Robin L. 7-0-47-0, Jerry W. 9-1-28-3, Toby 4-1-14-0, Mike S'bridge 1-0-17-0, and myself 7-1-29-1, although the abnormally short boundary rather distorted the runs conceded by all
bowlers.

In reply we got off to a terrible start with Jerry S. and Mick both out cheaply and we were soon 9-2. However we then enjoyed a magnificent stand of 137 from Jerry W. and Alex, batting superbly together with Jerry playing sheet anchor whilst Alex produced the fireworks with seven sixes and seven fours. When Alex was out for 91, Jerry continued with Mike Pearmain but we then slumped from 167-3 to 177-8 before Toby and I blocked out the last 2 overs with 28 needed. This was the third time this year we had finished on almost an identical score falling less than 30 short when we looked like walking it.