Match report vs The Consmen
02 May 07 @ Wenvoe (Skipper Richie, report James Roach)
On a sunny evening with barely a cloud in the sky it was
time to bring cricket to Wenvoe for the first time in 2007.
The pitch looked in better condition than in early 2006 mainly
due to recent weather although the parks guy claimed credit
because of extra work that had gone into the pitches over
the winter.
The usual traditions were observed as Rich lost the toss
and a casuals side containing four debutants (Fred, Sharif,
Matt B and Jamie B) were sent out to field. The consmen batsmen
were actually at the crease and ready to start before most
of the casuals fielders had finished their pre-match smoke.
After some debate Matt B decided he wanted to bowl with the
wind behind him and so Sharif took the first over. The Consmen
openers of Langford and Vanstone looked to make a steady start
with no heroics and despite good bowling no early wicket was
forthcoming.
After 4 overs Consmen were 17-0 and Matt B finished a good
spell of 2-0-5-0. Andy H replaced him and was as economic
as usual asking the batsmen plenty of questions. He almost
got his reward in what would have been a spectacular catch
behind, Smitts thought he had it and got good hands to it
but it was palmed away to third man.
After 8 overs Consmen were 39-0 and Sharif finished his spell
with 4-0-26-0. Dan replaced him and eventually in the 11th
over the breakthrough was his. Vanstone bowled for 14 getting
a slight nick onto his stumps. More was to come in the same
over as Dan got a second wicket, Price caught by Sharif between
cover and mid-off for 0. Dan finished with figures of 2-1-3-2.
After 12 overs Consmen were 51-2 and Andy H had finished
without just reward for his good bowling 4-0-8-0. Consmen
were still scoring steadily and Jamie B was introduced into
the attack. His first ball for the Casuals was a wicket. The
ball pitching half way down the strip but going on to hit
middle stump, Williams removed for 3. At this point the Consmen
started to go after Jamie B's bowling hitting two fours in
his first over but Jamie B recovered well and kept his head.
At the other end Manish was introduced into the attack with
the same result bowling Martin with his first ball for 9.
After 16 overs Consmen were 72-4, still picking up runs but
now the wickets were falling more regularly. Manish picked
up another in the 18th bowling Saunders for 3, in the same
over Davies was run out by Rich for 1 with a good throw from
point. There was some debate as to whether Smitts broke the
stumps with his hand before the ball hit. Smitts says no and
credits Rich with the run out. Jamie B got another wicket
in the 19th bowling the left hander Sidney for 0 with one
that seemed to come back into him and hit his leg stump. Jamie
B finished with 4-0-19-2. Langford the opener was still there
at the beginning of the 20th but the innings was rapped up
(Consmen only had 9 players) when he was caught for 39 at
mid-off by Matt B. A good inninings which provided the backbone
to total of 90 which definitely gave the Consmen a target
to defend. Manish finished with 3.4-0-19-3 and Potter was
not out 2. The other features of the innings to note were
some excellent diving around fielding by Fred and Dewbs and
some smart stumping attempts by Smitts standing up to Jamie
B.
The casuals needed 91 with good light conditions meaning
the full 20 overs could be played without darkness descending.
The reply started with a never tried before top 3 of Smitts,
James R and Dewbs. Smitts was removed 4th ball of the innings
bowled by Vanstone for 0 playing across the line to a straight
one (which may be a feature to look out for this season).
James R edged a single to third man and tickled one round
the corner for two before being bowled by Langstone for 3
unable to decide whether to play a defensive or attacking
shot to a straight ball which went through the gate. Dewbs
followed shortly after for 0 bowled by the good left armer
Davies, playing the ball onto his legs and then onto the stumps.
After 4 overs Casuals 4-3 but the mood in the Casuals camp
was still good and a win was still hoped for. Fred and Sharif
were at the wicket and making progress, Fred swishing the
bat around attempting bit hits which either made it over the
in-field or were dropped and Sharif playing some good square
cuts/drives.
After 8 overs Casuals 22-3 and the two opening bowlers had
been replaced. This allowed the casual batsmen to up the run
rate but Sharif was soon out bowled by Saunders for a good
12 in the 10th. Fred followed in the 12th lbw to Langford
for a vital 17. There was some debate about the lbw as most
of the Casuals watching on the boundary thought it was going
down leg side but Dewbs (the umpire) and Fred both thought
it was plumb.
After 12 overs Casuals 51-5 requiring 40 off 8 (5 runs per
over). With the Consmen's opening bowlers out of the attack
runs flowed more freely but wickets also continued to fall.
Matt B next victim bowled by Langford for 5 going for a big
hit in the 13th. Dan followed in the 14th trying to go over
the field caught by Langford off Potter for 4 after playing
an excellent back foot push through the covers for 4.
After 14 overs casuals 60-7 keeping the required run rate
at 5 an over but wickets falling. Rich looked in good nick
connecting well with the ball, running one 4 and then hitting
another. He fell in the 16th bowled Potter for another vital
innings of 16.
After 16 overs Casuals 73-8. That brought Jamie B to the
crease who had spent most of Sunday afternoon giving the slip
fielder catching practice at Llandaff Fields. However, his
quick 9 runs including an exquisite drive for 4 turned the
match in the casuals favour and brought the required run rate
down substantially. He fell in the 18th caught by an unnamed
fielder off the bowling of Potter leaving it up to the last
wicket pair of Manish and Andy H to not lose their wickets
and score the remaing 8 runs off the last 15 balls. It took
them just 4 balls both hitting boundarys to win the match
and finish Manish 15no and Andy H 4no.
A good win for the Casuals which didn't always look likely
but was finished off in the professional manner we have all
come to expect.
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