20/08/2000 v SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE

lost

Steve Lawton looked to have plenty of time to play the ball, but unfortunately could not extend his run of good scores. Neil Priddy came in to play a technically sound innings, whilst Tony moved into overdrive, crisply lifting the ball over mid off and mid on. Just when it looked as if Tony would propel Dartechs to a score approaching 200, he played a terrible shot to a ball which did not get up as high as he thought it should. Adam and Richard added some useful runs, as did Andrew Steene, but wickets were given away at the wrong moments and the eventual score of 146 was definitely short of expectations.

This did not seem to matter,, as Swanscombe were reduced to 12 for 4, thanks to some straight bowling from Bob Dunkley and an excellent piece of fielding from Andrew Cruickshank. Andrew seems to have eliminated the beamers from his repertoire, and looked a genuine opening bowler . Old Dartechs looked set for their second win of the season until the “ringer” Walters came in at six, and proceeded to hit the ball to all parts of the outfield, riding his luck well, as all the lofted shots went nowhere near the fielders.

Patel also played well , and shepherded his team through to victory after Walters had departed for a quickfire 63. All in all a disappointing debut for Old Dartechs at Avery Hill, and this was scarcely enhanced by troubles off the field with troublesome “locals”.