Sunday 1s vs St James
Author: Stephen Bone
Match Report |
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Rusty is a word often used in connection with Sunday cricket but despite being the first knock of the season for most, the first in months or even years for some, it can’t be used here. Ship’s reign got off to a winning start despite the pressures of new captaincy forcing him to sit this one out for the greater good, the scorebook has never been so scrupulously filled out. Anyway, the cricket. Losing the toss (nice one skip) we were put in to bat on a pudding of an early season pitch. The initial fears of swing were soon dispelled as openers Jamie and Rikki saw off a particular shiny new ball. First change was the wily old Wooley, bowling his loopy, lofty, slow deliveries that seemed to baffle our opening pair with just how long it was taking to reach them. Jamie soon holing out with a mis-timed biff off a ball that had a hint of snow on it having played some lovey shots and never looking like getting out. Soon to join him was the enigmatic Rikki Sahi. Now I was of the opinion there isn’t a shot this young man can’t play, it seems a straight bat defensive block may be that shot. Arms twisted like a pretzel and stumps spread he trotted off for 27. Both openers gone but a partnership of 64 against some penetrating bowling is not to be sniffed at. The opening partnership was followed by two bastions of Putney C.C. Rutherford joined Dev and we all put our feet up safe in the knowledge they’d be there a while, and they were. Another decent partnership of 58 came to an end when Nath bit the dust (bowled at the hands of Ali, a Putney ringer we instantly regretted sharing). Joined by the young Luke Greig we expected to see Dev coach a young talent and put on another decent stand. It wasn’t to be so. Pushing for a quick single the young lad was obviously too quick, but nowhere near as quick as Dev’s cricketing mind, who, when knowing he was done for, swiftly turned for home before they crossed leaving the keeper a solid twenty seconds to run a baffled Luke out. Just like Boycott, Dev’s runs were scored at a ‘test match pace’ (his own words) 57 off 48 balls. Before leaving us, attempting to speed up the rate, there was still time to see Connor ‘Boom Boom’ Rea come and go in customarily die hard fashion for 8. 140-5 It was up to the tail to wag. Bone in next, playing shots described by at least one person (himself, on numerous occasions) as De Villiers-esque. 14 not out anchoring the tail, surely a push up the order next weekend! Not wishing to stick around long Chris Powell decided to focus on his bowling and promptly poked at, and missed, one that smashed middle stump and he departed without troubling the scorer. The erratic Jason Beedle was in next and had no intention of sticking around hitting a quick fire 9 with some hard running and even harder breathing. Eventually out bowled, another one staying low. Hugo defied his place in the order by playing a number of beautiful shots, three sixes making up 18 of his 20 runs off just 10 balls. Let’s aim for 180 he said as he smashed us beyond 200. Eventually bowled with 8 balls left. There was still time for Dave to return to cricket after a while in the wilderness. A solitary boundary his only score, caught on the boundary with 2 balls left. 209 all out. Surely enough. Hugo opened the bowling in typically metronomic style taking both openers before 20 runs were up. The second a caught and bowled reminiscent of the final scenes of platoon as he fell, slow motion to his knees. First bowling change, inspired by Ship, now fielding in his duties as substitute (the early season luxury) saw the young lad Luke Greig attempting to channel his disappointment at being run out into wickets. Leg spin of the highest order, genuine turn and bounce that was too good for our opponents. Catching one fired at him off his own bowling was the first of what should have been more. Consistently turning it too much for anyone to hit his second wicket came with his worst ball, now where’s the justice, as Nathan ‘safe hands’ Rutherford caught one spooned up on the leg side. Figures of 2 for 20 don’t do justice to Luke, a real talent. Jason Beedle’s figures seem unfair on reflection. We definitely had a good look at the bails when at least one, possibly two, of his balls clipped leg stump and failed to dislodge the bails going for 4 each on the way. Chris Powell was brought on with four down to tempt the middle order. Asked by the batsmen what to expect ‘keeper Bone replied ‘the white Curtley Ambrose’, this comparison lost on him he succumbed to some sweet chin music (sort of) popping one up to Rutherford. Hitting a great line and length each time he Chris left the batsmen confused whether to come forward or play back. Safe hands from Shipar and Rutherford to thank no doubt but figures of 3.4 overs, 3 wickets for 7 runs don’t lie. By now it was all but over 120 runs on the board the tail had a bash but when Connor took two wickets in his solitary double-wicket maiden they were done for. Again there was a bit of turn but ‘variable bounce’ is a polite way of saying ‘one stayed low’ and the look on the batsman’s face as he turned to both the keeper and the umpire for help having been clean bowled was my highlight. All over, an early win for the new regime! Comprehensive. There was much talk of motm in the clubhouse after the game. The Leggie Luke Greig stood a chance had he not been run out by eventual winner Dev. Chris Powell was definitely in with a shout for some really smothering bowling and Rutherford’s work in the field was amazing. All in all a good win. Extra special mention for Putney ringers Ali and Tan who both played (too) well. Ali taiking wickets and massively unlucky to go on 13 C&B driving straight down the ground and Tan not only fielded like a man possessed but bowled a few as well. There’s rumours of a late night Mayweather Vs Pacquiao viewing next weekend so no doubt next weekend’s game will be significantly shorter. MOTM Dev Ebersohn- 57 off 48 |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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26/04/2015 | 14:00 | Sunday 1st | St James | H | 209/10 | 130/10 | W | 0 |