Saturday 3s vs Ewhurst
Author: Lewis 'Gerald' Hill
Match Report |
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Captain the 3s they said. It will be easy they said. Amogh is not going to pick you for the 2s after last season’s dismal performances they said… wait a minute, what? The fixtures are all local they said. You will post 200 on the scoreboard every week they said. It is only seven fixtures they said. Alright club hierarchy – sign me up, I said. So, you will no doubt share my surprise and disappointment at the result of our first completed league match. A four-wicket loss away (read: hour and a half drive) to Ewhurst 1st XI (yes, 1st XI – have a word Surrey County League administrators) having posted a measly total of 67. I won the toss and chose to bat (quick memo to fellow captains – if you do not listen to Saad Hannan’s advice on winning tosses then you will win the toss every week). It was a batting track; the sun had baked it for the majority of the week. I was confident we could post a strong total. Long story cut short – we did not. With the exception of Barney, who went about his batting in a disciplined fashion, too many of us gave our wicket away (myself included). Credit to the opposition though, they bowled tight lines and fielded exceptionally well. Although the swamp-like grass in front of their boundary did plug a number of shots for four that would usually sail over the Putney fence. Tea report: obviously, in COVID-19 circumstances, I can only really comment on my own tea. It was a chilli chutney cheese sandwich and a packet of Skips. It was satisfactory to poor. After some “rousing” words from yours truly, we headed out to defend 67 (second quick memo to fellow captains – do not read the Saad Hannan book of speech writing – it is far too long and states the obvious too many times). Charlie and Dr Smith opened up. It did not quite click for Charlie on the day, but Mark, clearly buoyed by his 100th Putney wicket the previous week, bowled well. He removed Ewhurst 1st XI’s number three with a plumb LBW delivery and dismissed their opener after he chipped one to debutant Felix at mid-off. Felix and Rob were the first change bowlers and caused plenty of problems for Ewhurst’s middle order. Felix’s pace and guile drew a nick behind to Ollie at the stumps before trapping their number five LBW two balls later. There was another strong shout for LBW in between Felix’s two wickets which the opposition batsman vehemently denied was anywhere close to being out. This led to the comment of the day from Barney in the covers: “BREAKING NEWS: Batsman Says He Is Not Out”. The Daily Mash eat your heart out. At the other end, Rob bowled very nicely. A consistent line and length which troubled the opposition batsmen and drew a number of false shots. He removed Ewhurst 1st XI’s other opener, who spooned a looping shot to backward point where a diving Barney took a fantastic catch, before ruining it with a terrible David Warner-esque celebration. A shame. Rob bowled their number seven batsman and suddenly the anuses of the Ewhurst 1st XI were twitching. They were 50-odd for 6 against a 3rd XI they had bowled out for 67 and we were continuing to apply tight pressure in the field. Ultimately, their two star players (fun fact: also brothers) batted sensibly to hit the remaining 15 runs required to deservedly win the match for their side. The result flattered neither side (especially us), but we can take heart that despite our shortcomings with the bat, we proved to be an aggressive and potent force in the field. I am confident that given more time, the Putney 3rd XI can be a force to be reckoned with. It is good to be back. Man of the Match: Barney – for being the only batsman on the day who exercised a disciplined approach to batting and for his spectacular catch (despite ruining it with a truly terrible celebration). |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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01/08/2020 | 1pm | Saturday 3rd | Ewhurst | A | 67/10 | 68/6 | L | 0 |