at Rawreth Lane, Old Ground, June 30th 2013
League
Team: Adam Bailey, Joe Barnett†, Jamie Coleman, Alex Dawkins, Aaron Golstein, Jack Hadlow, Tom King, Tom Lopez, Kian Norton-Reeves, Craig Smith*, David Watts.
A lovely Sunny Sunday, 11 players and Rankins as opponents. Craig wins the toss and decided to bat.
Craig Smith and Joe Barnett opened the batting in their normal way. Craig hit the ball and missed the fielders and retired on 25 not out. Joe started in the same way but found a fielder so was out, caught on 13. Alex Dawkins and Tom King were the next pair in, Alex (4) played more along the ground but was still out caught, Tom (1) tried a flashing shot (later claimed to be defensive), missed and was bowled. Adam Bailey and David Watts carried on with the stroke playing until out caught for 5 and bowled for 2 respectively. Kian Norton-Reeves displayed his ability with leg side deliveries hitting 2 for 4 and batted through to the end getting 9 not out. Jack Hadlow and Jamie Coleman were less successful getting out for 0, Tom Lopez and Aaron Golstein batted in the last over, Tom was run out going for a quick single whilst Aaron scored 1 not out. 91 for 7.
Overall an attacking innings where we slightly lost momentum in the second 10 overs.
Possibly a break for drinks due to the hot weather was a tactical mistake on the coach’s part.
In the second half Tom and Jamie opened, both getting a wicket in their first over. Jamie then got another in his second over. After 4 overs Craig brought himself and Alex on and both got a wicket in their second over. Rankins were 5 down after 8 overs and things were looking good for us. Jack and Tom had a bowl and didn’t manage a wicket each in their third overs, possibly because they didn’t get to bowl three. Aaron and Kian were the next two bowler used and both got a wicket in their first over _ Kian’s was technically Adam’s who got a run out with a direct hit.
However Rankins had been able to keep the score at more than 5 an over and thigs were looking close towards the end – would we get the wickets or Rankins get the runs? In the 19th over we found out – Rankins got the runs.
A close game with some good bowling, some good batting. We got 2 of Rankins’ best bats out cheaply but were just unable to bowl tightly enough for the full 20 overs to pull of the win.
Excellent game though.
No game next week (yet). The next League game is away to Westcliff in two weeks time.