|
Barnards Green Cricket Club have just
returned from a tour of Cornwall and came away with three victories out of
three games. Despite being let down and having to take a party of just 11
with 10 players, the party set off Tuesday morning down the M5 to their base
in Newquay. A further hours trip to Rosudgeon and Kenneggy CC saw the Green
under the able captaincy of tour organiser Steve Freeman asked to bat on a
damp and unpredictable wicket. Dick Brown was the first to perish being
very well caught to a ball he skied over mid ons head without troubling the
scorer, and he was soon followed by Nick Rogers for 15, Freeman plumb LBW
for 8 and the middle order collapsing to leave the score on 65 for 8. Ian
Scullion then joined the perplexed Dave White and together they put on 131
runs before Scullion perished for 42. White continued to master the bowling
striking 16 fours in his 95 not out and with Phil Spencer took the score to
a respectable 223 at the close.
In reply, Rosudgeon got off to a solid start, before James Scullion had
opener Payne caught behind for 17. All the top order got themselves in, but
were unable to put together a big innings and further wickets tumbled with
Scullion finishing with a creditable 4 for 21 off his 8 overs. Adam Price
accounted for the dangerous skipper Waters and the introduction of the
tenacious Dick Brown who bowled with guile and panache, accounted for the
tail with two run outs off the bowling of Nick Rogers. A winning start by
86 runs saw a happy skipper and a long night for those having to listen to
Dicks talking through of his two wickets that left him on a hat trick for
the next game.
Day two saw the party venture to Redruth and despite the best endeavours of
white van man and learner drivers along with a duff set of directions, the
ground was eventually located and skipper Dick Brown lost the toss and the
home team elected to field. Scully senior made the first breakthrough and
good tight bowling from Scully junior and Adam Price put Redruth on the back
foot particularly when Adam bowled opener Thomas for 37. A good catch by
Dave Price to dismiss Brown off Longmore may well have proved crucial, but
the introduction of the indefinable Steve Freeman was an inspired move by
skipper Brown as he teased out two Redruth batsmen and 2 more ran themselves
out and with Nick Rogers chipping in with a wicket, Redruth finished on
158. Openers Phil Spencer and Robin Longmore sensed rain not to mention the
opening of the bar and the ball started to fly to all parts of the ground
from the first over, with Longmore being particularly brutal on anything
overpitched with one mighty six before a mistimed pull saw him depart for 45
with the score on 65. Something of a collapse then took place before Phil
Payne 40 gusting for the team and Dave Price 21 saw the team home with three
wickets and a few overs to spare. Another excellent game against good
opposition at a lovely ground. Celebrations went on long into the night and
Thursday brought a few sore heads and a lot of aching limbs.
However, the party travelled down past Falmouth to the picturesque ground of
Mawnan for their final game. With three of the party having to get back
home after the match, Mawnan graciously agreed to bat first. First ball
from Ian Scullion saw free scoring skipper Griffiths carve a ball to the
gully area, but a rather stiff looking 'Engine' was unable to hold on to a
diving catch which was later to cost the team and himself rather dearly as
Griffiths plundered the ball to all parts of the ground before being
deceived in the flight by Phil Spencer who took revenge, but not before he
had amassed 80 runs. Spencer was also responsible for a brilliant run out
of the dangerous sibling Griffiths for 28 and thereafter only Ambrose with
59 made much impression on the scoreboard. An excellent spell from a
creaking Ian Scullion of 2 for 11 off 8 was the crucial factor. Chasing
195, Dick Brown 27 and Nick Rogers 44 got the Green off to a solid start
before Rogers departed closely followed by Longmore and Freeman for 9 and
8. Adam Price struck a mighty six before he too was sharpley stumped and
Brown too departed leaving a perplexed skipper Dave White once again at the
wicket running out of partners. However he found good support in James
Scullion 8 and Phil Spencer 16, but when they both departed and Scully
senior was caught, a hobbling Dave Price held up his end to see White once
again pass 50 and take the Green home with two balls to spare for their
third victory of the tour.
An excellent tour enjoyed by all who attended and no doubt there are many
now ruing the fact they became unavailable. Next years tour is already
under consideration, but deposits will be required!!
|
|
