Sunday 2s vs Christchurch
Author: Ajay ‘Mr Tickle’ Sugavanam
Match Report |
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Putney CC – Sunday 2s Match Report away to Christchurch On a cooler and cloudier Sunday afternoon than that we’ve been spoiled to in recent weeks, the Sunday 2s set out to Wallington to play Christchurch, determined to put on a better showing than last week’s whopping 235-run defeat. We won the toss and chose to field first on a pitch which had a slope akin to Lord’s, hoping to extract movement in conditions that was expected to suit seam and swing. The opening bowlers Ajay and Beedle bowled accurately and beat the bat several times. Ajay managed to get a length ball to rear up and broke through as Christchurch’s opening batsman played on. Their top three, however, rode out the early storm and looked like they could build towards a competitive score. However, Bendre Junior sent back their second opening batsman as he played all round a straight delivery. This was pleasing particularly to captain Bone, who had got under his skin with early chat from behind the stumps. Putney’s change bowlers continued to maintain pressure. This resulted in three more quick wickets prior to drinks as Christchurch slid to 75 for 5. Another wicket after drinks and it looked like Putney would be chasing a sub-100 score. Christchurch then comparatively feasted on Putney’s part-timers to cross 100, not helped by some flimsy catching in the ring, before a stunning three wicket over from Sam Cornick brought a grinding halt to whatever little momentum they had. The highlight of the bowling effort, however, was Tan Balendra, who held on to a brilliant caught-and-bowled on his 69th birthday, in addition to another catch in Sam’s super over. That left Putney with a mediocre 119 to win – small matter but with a history of batting malfunctions in 2018, victory certainly was no foregone conclusion. However, the openers Rob Cross and Toby Pleming eased Putney’s nerves in an opening partnership of about 30, the Sunday 2nd’s second highest of the season. Toby was particularly severe on Christchurch’s young but erratic second bowler – smashing him for a big six in an aggressive start. Christchurch’s opening bowler bowled a mammoth 8-over spell, tirelessly searching for wickets, but he was simply not supported at the other end and in the field, as a combination of difficult and very straightforward catches went down. It was clear that several Christchurch players were carrying injuries and hadn’t played for a while, and Putney were left with a unusually relaxed run chase as Rob and no. 3 Ritwik took Putney close to victory. When Ritwik fell with 3 runs to win, the stage was then set for captain Bone, with dad watching on during Fathers’ day, to hit the winning runs. There was minor drama as captain Bone was dropped twice off the first two balls he faced before he hit the winning runs with an edge over slips – but that shouldn’t take away from a fully dominant performance out in south London as pretty much everybody in the team contributed to the big win. MOTM - Sam Cornick for his Brutal three wicket over ripping the heart out of the middle order. Champagne Moment - The immortal Mr Balendra for first plucking a fine catch from the air and then delivering the seasons highlight so far. Catching one off his own bowling drilled at him at breakneck speed, all this on his 69th birthday! DDJ - Toby Pleming for some erratic batting practice, drilling one right into the tail end of our picnic-style lunch scattering drinks and food alike. TFC - Beedle mopping up the awards for his barren bowling spell and numerous drops in the field. Also refused the pink hat in a move that NEARLY earned him the DDJ. |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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17/06/2018 | 1pm | Sunday 2nd | Christchurch | A | 121/2 | 118/10 | W | 0 |