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Whilst the match reports wait to appear why not read a
review of the 3rds
season.
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Saturday’s game versus local side
Eastnor was a match packed with action, drama and plenty of fun. Both
teams competed to the close and all results were possible right until
the final wicket fell making this the perfect game to open a Bank
Holiday weekend.
Losing the toss returning skipper Doughty swapped his surfboard for a
bat and pads and partnered Banks to open the batting against a steady
opening attack. Banks looked in great touch, moving his feet well and
timing the ball sweetly until he perished for 8 runs. Tuck, batting at
three played one delightful stroke before departing for 4. Dean strode
purposefully to the crease and settled down well playing some great
shots and formed a tidy little partnership with his skipper. Doughty,
helped by some averaged fielding carefully worked the ball around for 35
runs before a mid-wicket mix-up with Dean found him run out leaving the
innings balanced on a knife-edge. Dan Metcalfe took some time out of the
game by batting 32 balls and frustrating the fielders by taking some
speedy singles whilst supporting Dean before the latter fell for 17 hard
fought runs. Metcalfe senior joined Metcalfe junior to form the next
partnership as the innings was in danger of crumbling away with less
than 100 on the board. Both dug in and when Metcalfe junior fell the
state of the game allowed new batsman Price to bat in a carefree manner.
Price biffed two huge 6’s and one glorious 4 alongside Jaye (4) who
entered after Metcalfe senior departed before Hooper, the hero of the
day joined the fun and turned the state of the game firmly in the
Green’s favour. Hooper batted beautifully for 34 unbeaten runs playing
some brilliant shots, including two straight drives down the ground
which brought applause from visitors as well as the supporters on the
patio. Brown (5), the off-field skipper, supported Hooper by rotating
the strike and when he fell, Churchill enjoying his chance to play at
the ‘home of cricket’ did the same until the innings closed on exactly
160 all out in 44.4 overs.
After a tea forum members would be proud of opening bowlers Churchill
(12-5-35-1) and Hooper (13.5-3-51-6) began the job of disrupting and
destroying Eastnor’s attempt at overhauling the Green’s below par total.
Churchill, after an initial flurry of boundaries became impossible to
lay a bat on whilst Hooper, displaying his full array of spinning,
spitting and sliding deliveries, broke the back of the reply. Of the
visitor’s batsmen only Sandford (44) and Onions (27) showed any
resistance as the Green fielded well, bowled with discipline and
encouraged each other throughout. Dean, fielding at gully took three of
the best catches you could imagine whilst Jaye and Hooper combined to
take one of the funniest catches you’d ever see to finish the game off
in style for the home side. The bowling of Brown (6-3-20-2) and Banks
(4-0-12-1) accounted for the middle order and played a big part in
gaining the maximum 24 points for the Green.
Both teams competed well, played the game in the right spirit and should
be proud of their efforts on what was an enjoyable afternoon in the
sunshine. Monday’s game see’s the Green host Herefordshire side
Brockhampton who will be looking to strengthen their promotion push. |
