Saturday 2s vs Mitcham
Author: Mike Henshall
Match Report |
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After a couple of weeks or cry-offs and last minute replacements we were looking forward to a settled side and back to winning ways. Alas, it was not to be - 2 more disappeared on Saturday morning and we turned to the ever-reliable Conor and the Bone (not the cream, the white, the off-white, the ivory or the beige). Mitcham would be stiff opposition after being promoted last year and we would need a strong all-round performance. Sadly, after losing the toss and batting we failed to live up to that need. Doug departed early, quickly followed by Parshav and his array of rash, airy shots. Julian (26) batted the best he has all year and built a good partnership with Wibbs (28) as we approached 2/64 after 16 overs. We were aided by some comical catching by one of the oppo - he was shifted from slip, to gully to square leg and the ball kept following him. In all he must have put down at least 4 catches, all accompanied with fist banging and a string of loud obscenities. But we couldn’t convert that luck and both departed in quick succession before Hensh and the prodigal Putney son Tin Tin rebuilt the innings. But regular wickets were our downfall, and the inability to convert starts - the 3rd and 5th wicket partnerships garnering 35 and 28. In the end this would be the difference in the game, and we were skittled for 129 off 38 overs. We would have to bowl them out and strategy was required. The decision to start with the old ball was vindicated, as their in form top 3 departed for nothing and they staggered to 3/13. Tin Tin was unplayable and 1 more quick wicket would’ve been the key - but sadly we could not manufacture it. In hindsight maybe we could’ve taken the new ball at that point and really pushed on, but the old ball had been working. Mitcham produced what we couldn’t - a single decent partnership of 79. And that was essentially the difference, and the game. They rode their luck, especially in the face of one of the most hostile spells I’ve witnessed in the last couple of years. Rolf bowled his heart out for a 9 over spell with the new ball and deserved more than the 2/29 he returned. It was pressurized all the way, but that single partnership was enough, they passed us 7 down. So it’s 2 losses on the trot, and we’ve given up top spot on the table (3rd). But there’s not been much in it at all so we should feel confident that we can still challenge for top spot. Some commitment from the wider playing group and a run of results will see us set up for a strong run in. MOTM was Tin Tin for his 15 over spell and 4 wickets that nearly swung it our way. |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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06/06/2015 | 1pm | Saturday 2nd | Mitcham | A | 129/10 | 131/7 | L | 4 |