Avoncroft did well to get this match on given the
dreadful conditions. In the end The Green were comprehensively beaten
but there were highlights along the way - not least the run out of Dick
Brown.
The match report this week is a compilation of the
"twitter" feeds from the afternoon.
"And they're off at Avoncroft. Green thirds opening with
Wheeler and Lewis. Damp ...... but game on.
First four of the year toThe Robster.... Six without loss as we
experience the contrasting batting styles of these openers.
Lewis gone for four, caught at fine leg. Green are seven for one.
Wheeler still to get off the mark.
Ratters off the mark with a shovel to cow corner and Wheeler responds
with a four through extra cover.
Ratters gone. LBW. Looked a little high perhaps? Green now 20 - 2 off
eight overs. Roger Thompson joins Wheeler.
Wheeler. Six...... and out. Well caught at cover. Andy stands. Did it
carry? Umpire says "yes". 28-3.
Cyril Dean. Caught at slip. Gone for nought. Green in trouble at 29-4.
Enter Dick Brown. Full of advice for others. How will he do?
Thompson survives a mis-cue over extra cover. Brown off the mark with an
edge past gulley. Wides top scoring at the mo.
Shot of the day by Thompson. Lofted drive carries the boundary for
six...make that four...tree got in the way. Sun comes out right on time.
Dick run out in bizarre fashion. Thought keeper had missed it so walks
up pitch and keeper rolls the ball at the stumps. Oh dear says Dick!
Thompson realising we need runs hits two big sixes and follows with a
four through mid wicket and another six! 80-5. Far more respectable.
Thompson brings up his fifty with a four and another six in successive
balls. Needs someone to stay with him though. Dave White. Over to you.
100 up for the Green with a risky chip over mid-wicket. Yet another
bowling change but all seam still. Are you watching skipper?
And Thompson has gone! Caught on the backward square boundary going for
another big one. Sam Daffin joins White. Play straight Sam! 104-6.
Dave White unlucky to be caught and bowled. Hit it well. One of those
that just stick!
Adam Price. Out second ball. Big Zero. Should have got on the front foot
Ads.. Eight down. The end is nigh perhaps?
Antony Eyles. Played it too early. Another victim of the slow pitch.
Last man in now. Get the kettle on ! 107-9
Goodres. Cuts the ball to point for one. Umpire signals byes. What's
going on ?!!!
Daff Sam square cuts for 4. Dick Brown smells a batting point. Only 37
to go. Dick talks us through his run out...again.
Roger: "Have you batted yet?" DCP: "I'm not playing"
Huge hit from Goodreds. Plugged. Dick's bet on him getting less than ten
looks under threat. Come on the 67 year old!
That's it. Innings closes on 119 off 31 overs. Tea time.
Urgent correction. Apologies to Cyril. He got one after all.
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The team arrived to find a green pitch which
considering it had been under water for much of the week wasn't
surprising and is a credit to their hardworking ground staff. Tim
Williams won the toss and chose to bowl first. The first dismissal came
early with a neat catch from Mark Hooper off Phil Harris to dismiss
Morgan for 0 – if only all other catches had been taken so well the
result may well have been different. Dawes and Bedford fell soon after
both bowled to give overseas player Josh Rurawhe his first wickets of
the season.
And so the decisive partnership of the match formed - Crouch and Ali.
They put on almost a hundred with some aggressive if not classic shots
and surviving only courtesy of some dropped catches. Crouch was caught
for 44, Trew debuted briefly making 1 before Ali's luck ran out and he
was caught for 68 leaving Water Orton 141 for 6. Harris and Lloyd put on
38 before Harris was clean bowled by Dovey, Lloyd continued to remain
unbeaten on 43 not out, ably supported by Irish (not out 7). Final score
for Water Orton was 213 for 8 off 55 overs – due to a short rain break
in the innings, Barnards Green's target was reduced to 204 off 50 overs.
Barnards Green's innings started badly with three quick wickets falling
before the score reached double figures. The Water Orton team had
clearly worked out to bowl on this wicket and only Rurawhe seemed
comfortable at the crease. Rees, Hennessy and Brewer briefly supported
him as he progressed to 32 not out. The Barnards Green innings closed on
53 all out. Rurawhe's league debut performance was the only real
highlight of a disappointing game. The first eleven team aim to bounce
back this week when they host Halesowen.
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