"...THEN THE WHEELS CAME OFF!"
The
best I can say about this game, is that we threw victory away when it
was there for the taking, but at least I could report to the new management
team that we returned undefeated.
The hosts won the toss on a very hot day, and opted to bat first. We were
very short of bowling without our first choice opening attack (Alex &
Matt) as well as Robin L. and the management team spin dept. so you won't
be surprised to hear that I didn't mind losing the toss. Ash and I took
the new ball and both had our moments without making the breakthrough.
The hosts made steady progress on a slow pitch with the odd ball 'popping'
or keeping low, with a lightning fast outfield, and very short boundary
down the ground which necessitated a fine third man and fine leg. At 37-0,
we gave way to Toby and debutante Nick Parkinson, friend of Doug Michael's,
playing his first game in 11 years since leaving school. Toby duly returned
best ever figures for the club taking 5-43 off 14 overs, with Nick making
a very good start with 1-41off 10, with at least 3 catches going down
off him. Steve Reece bowled 4 overs at the death and Ash and I never got
back on as I had planned. At tea we were fairly happy with the home side
declaring on 167-7.
We knew batting would not be easy on that pitch and only had 1 hour and
20 overs due to a slightly late start. However Rob S. and Justin made
a good start with Rob hitting some fine drives, and Justin cutting &
pulling very well. At 34, Rob surprisingly played over a well pitched
up ball, and was replaced by Steve Reece, promoted to No.3. Steve scored
a confident 12, before being done by 'a shooter' and we were 68-2. Doug
joined Justin and played his normal positive innings until one 'popped'
on him and he dollied a catch to the keeper. But at 111-3, Ash entered
the fray and with a calm efficiency, he and Justin took us to the brink
at 143-3 with 7 overs to go, needing under 4 an over. THEN THE WHEELS
CAME OFF! Both Justin and Ash, who had both looked in complete control
got out in rapid succession and the panic set in. The very useful opening
bowler returned and suddenly we needed nearly 5 an over. Mick perished,
bowled (twice in two balls actually, but the first was a no ball) and
after Jerry and I only managed 2 singles off the opening bowler, we decided
to attack the spinner in the penultimate over needing 9 runs. Tragically
my best blow of the season to the long square leg boundary found the hands
of their best fielder about 1 inch from the rope, Toby was bowled trying
to sweep, and H. and Jerry couldn't get the opening bowler away in the
final over. We finished on 161-8.
A great finish for the spectators but Broadbridge Heath got off the hook
and were much the happier side at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed leading
the team again, if not the final 20 minutes. Our ground fielding was good,
particularly Doug and Toby, although umpteen catches went down again with
your stand in skipper spilling one at mid off, Rob S. having another bad
day at the 'office' in the slips, spurning 2 chances, and H. just failed
to snaffle a diving effort off yours truly.