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Summer finally came to Northend Lane on
Sunday, bringing with it a large and friendly band of Himley supporters who
would enjoy an excellent game of cricket in the sunshine.
The Green, although missing a number of their regular stalwarts through
injury, were still able to field a strong looking team. Losing the toss
Skipper Marek Wajzer was understandably asked to field first on the hottest
day of the year so far.
The Green’s opening bowlers both failed to make any inroads into a solid
Himley opening partnership of Naylor and Jones and it was left to first
change, Anshuman, appearing in his last match for The Green, to finally
break the partnership having Naylor (22) well caught at point by Sam
Bradley. Shortly after he also accounted for Jones (40) who was trapped LBW
by a ball which kept a little low.
The new pairing of Fyje and Brown soon found the gentle medium pace of The
Green’s bowling attack to their liking and the run-rate started to climb as
batting became easier.
Green Skipper Wajzer, without any of his regular stop bowlers to stem the
tide, turned first to Jack Wheeler who, despite bowling a mixture of full
tosses and long hops, was surprisingly effective at slowing the rate and
then to the rapidly improving youngster, Jack Cullity who picked up the
wicket of the dangerous Fyje (42 ).
With useful bowling contributions from Skipper Wajzer and Simon Ball who
bowled with controlled aggression throughout his 6 over spell, Himley were
finally restricted to 204 for 3 off their 40 overs, with Brown and Reeves on
41 not out and 32 not out respectively.
After another sumptuous BGCC tea young Simon Ball and the more experienced
Paul Yorke opened for The Green and seemed determined to dominate the Himley
attack from the start. Ball looked impressive as he produced a mixture of
delicate leg-glances and more agricultural, but equally effective swipes and
Yorke waited patiently for the bad ball which was inevitably despatched to
the boundary. These two stayed together until the 16th over, both having
passed the 50 mark, and putting on 129 for the first wicket. A rapidly
tiring Simon Ball was eventually bowled by Tromans for an exciting 54. Dave
Marshall (5) seemed confident in his support of Yorke before being caught at
mid-wicket and when Yorke eventually perished just 2 short of his century
The Green were in sight of victory needing just 26 more runs.
Ashley Brewer, making his first appearance as a teenager for the Sunday
side, failed to trouble the scorers and it was left to Anshuman ( 27*) and
Adam Price (4*) to see The Green home.
An appreciative crowd retired to the bar to reflect on a good afternoon’s
entertainment from a match played in just the right spirit.
Many thanks to Match Day Sponsors :-
John Pugh Hairdressers, David Wyman Map Sales and S Harris Plumbing and
Heating.
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