Match Report vs Ross-on-Wye
(tour#2) 09 September 2019 @ Ross-on-Wye (Skipper and
report Winkie)
Captain for the day: Winkie
As I sit here writing, trying to recall the pivotal events
of the day, I am still in some discomfort – sore right
achilles, cranky shoulder, dodgy tummy (lovely curry), but
plenty of fond memories. I will leave it to others to recount
tales of late night frivolities and inglorious toilet blockages
etc …
The day got off to a surprising start with all casuals making
it to breakfast and being ready to leave on time at 10.53
– perhaps it was the gloriously sunny morning and the
prospect of another stunning location in which to play the
beautiful game that is cricket? Worth mentioning that the
Fox had taken it upon himself to scout out the location, taking
an early breakfast and leaving pre-dawn, either an admiral
trait or stark raving madness!
We weren’t disappointed when we arrived – stumps
ready, strip prepared and a traditional old pavilion on the
far side of the ground which made for a visual feast. There
was no inconvenience in changing in the modern facility to
the car park end of the ground and then moving across to the
charming old pavilion (always a sucker for nostalgia). Some
Caz took upon themselves to up their average p.p.d’s
(poops per day) which were reaching astoundingly high levels
in some cases – can’t imagine what could cause
such drastic effects.
Pre match negotiations determined that the Caz would field
first – the opposite of day one in an attempt to get
as many into the bowling as possible, and perhaps to get that
all allusive wicket that we hadn’t managed on Saturday.
Dan opened up with a steady and determined spell which was
finally rewarded in his fifth over when Ali Cook, looking
to open his shoulders, drove firmly to mid-on where Richie
made a tricky catch look easy. Dan had to settle for the one
wicket whilst probably deserving at least one more –
he did however have a couple of maidens!
Goffy had a short opening spell from the cathedral end going
for thirteen off the final over which signalled the time for
a change of pace. Up steps Foxy who had his chance to make
his mark having inspected every last inch of the pitch over
the previous six hours. His first two overs were accurate
which probably contributed to the no.3 batsman’s demise
in the third when Foxy lobbed up a straight full toss which
the batsman played across and missed – LBW and a wicket
maiden for the Fox – time for a rest.
Meanwhile at the pavilion end Mark had taken over from Dan
and was making it tricky for the batsmen to score, bowling
a nagging line and length. He even managed to keep their no.4
relatively quiet; who was displaying a predilection for Cheese,
who was now bowling at the cathedral end and was getting smoked
despite some pretty decent balls. Mark eventually won that
contest clean bowled, but not before the no.4 had made a bludgeoning
34. This was quickly followed in his next over when a tumbling
Will took a dextrous catch fielding close on the off side
– Yes it’s the truth, there were lots of witnesses!
Gaz took over from Cheese after his three over stint –
this upped the pace. He was very unlucky not to get a wicket.
At least one catch went down – although that probably
avoided controversy as the batsmen swore he hadn’t hit
it and the umpire didn’t hear it either. Gaz’s
four overs kept the pressure on the batsmen. Richie followed
Gaz with his bamboozlers and with James holding onto one behind
returned some useful figures from his three overs. Meanwhile
Rob had taken over from Mark and was successfully keeping
the pressure on finally taking the opening bats wicket in
his third over (55) – an easier catch this time for
Will.
There no 7 and 8 then put on a useful partnership only broken
by the Fox off the final ball of the innings. Final score
somewhere in the region of 190 for 6 from 40 overs.
Dan Lewis: 6 overs 1 wicket 2 maiden’s 15 runs
Goff Day: 5 overs 0 wickets 0 maidens 33 runs
John Prior: 5 overs 2 wickets 1 maiden 28 runs
Mark Stevens: 6 overs 1 wicket 0 maiden’s 18 runs
Ed Stewart: 3 overs 0 wickets 0 maiden’s 29 runs
Gareth Loveridge: 4 overs 0 wickets 0 maidens 15 runs
Rob Owens: 5 overs 1 wicket 0 maiden’s 17 runs
Richie Holliday: 3 overs 1 wicket 0 maiden’s 15 runs
Tea was simply brilliant – hopefully we have some pictures.
The sausage rolls and vast selection of homemade cakes were
the highlights for me.
The captain having not done anything to this point decided
to open along with James whose arm he twisted during the tea
break. The Captain struggled for twelve overs to get the ball
off the square and other than nearly taking the wicket keeps
head off when ramping a slow beamer there is little of note
to say (‘sept rubbish!), it was probably a great relief
to all when he was out for a lowly 7 having faced 212 balls.
Fortunately James was playing a proper openers innings at
the other end mixing defence with attack to great success
– it would have been great if he could have gotten over
the line for his fifty but 47 is his highest score to date
so congratulations are due (you daft t!”t)
Gaz replaced Winkie with the weight of expectation on his
shoulders. It wasn’t to be this time but after such
a great season he was probably due the duck.
Will came in at four and was starting to get into his stride
when he spliced a full toss to mid-off where the fielder gratefully
snaffled the catch. Then Cheese and James began to rebuild
the innings. Cheese starting slowly as he struggled to time
the ball but then finding greater fluency he accelerated to
a fine fifty which gave us some hope that the target could
be overhauled. There were some useful cameos towards the end
from Richie (7), Mark (14) and Dan (26). Goffy, ever the Joker,
missed his first ball for a golden duck. Unfortunately the
bowling was just that little bit too good and we came up 9
short. 181 for 8
There was some pretty good fielding throughout the innings
with most catches taken. Also of significant note was the
Fox making a diving stop to a well struck drive.
James Hodkinson 47
Andrew Hood* 7
Gareth Loveridge 0
Will Mason-Wilks 12
Ed Stewart 52
Richard Holliday 7
Mark Stephens 14
Daniel Lewis 26 Not Out
Goff Day 0 (Golden)
Rob Owens Not Out 0
John Prior DNB
We all retired to the bar to celebrate not a win but a hugely
successful 2019 tour, making new friends and hopefully being
able to visit again in the future. Thanks to James and Goffy
for organising!
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