Concorde
Doug in to preserve unbeaten run
For
the sixth time this season we were unable to field a full side, and for
the third time we only had nine men at the start, (courtesy of the opposition
who kindly lent us one of their men to make it 10 against 9, rather than
11 against 8). Against the odds we won again having lost the toss, and
having been asked to bat.
We started disastrously losing Rob Symondson for 1, to a horrible run
out when he and Edgar ended up at the same end, then Jerry W. was out
for 8, and we were suddenly 23-2 with a lengthy tail. However as in previous
games, someone invariably comes up with the goods and whilst Edgar kept
one end solid, Doug Michael, in his first game of the season struck a
brave 69, blasting 9
fours and three sixes, one onto the clubhouse roof, with another clearing
the scoreboard! With some minor tail wagging from Robin L., myself and
H. we scraped up to 143-7 at tea. One notable shot was a classic cover
drive for four by H. in his first innings of the season.
In reply, Pirbright went off like an express train hitting 39 off the
first six overs, but a smart run out by Doug M. changed the course of
the game. Robin L. took two quick wickets, then held a low catch at gully
off the writer and the visitors were suddenly 42-4. I then introduced
the 'spin twins' JJBW and Edgar and this proved decisive. Jerry bowled
their No.6 to make it 65-5, and after a little flurry during which the
visiting opener reached his fifty, Ed took three quick wickets and suddenly
we were on the brink of victory with Pirbright on the ropes at 98-8 with
the last pair at the crease. However a stubborn little stand of 24 involving
72 year old Terry Kinsella had the 'packed arena' biting their nails until
Edgar held a fine catch at mid on off a well struck drive, and we won
by 21 runs with 5 overs remaining. Bowling figs. were Robin L. 8-1-33-2,
Jerry W. 5-0-19-1, Edgar F. 8-0-31-3, Toby C. 3-0-14-0, and myself 9-1-20-2.
It was another remarkable team performance with Doug's batting and Edgar's
bowling the highlights but we cannot keep pulling 'rabbits out of hats'
week after week. However 5 wins and 6 draws after 11 games is very satisfying.