16/05/2004 v East Sutton

WON

The visitors were East Sutton and with Martin taking up skipper duties a 35over match was selected with us winning the toss and electing to bat.

Clive and Adam opened and made a good steady start, with Clive especially playing some nice strokes and getting us off to a fine start.

Adam was the first to go though when he entered into his corridor of uncertainty (his off stump) and managed to edge one to first slip.

Ant joined Clive and carried on as if there had never been a winter break playing some glorious strokes and taking full advantage of the very short boundary with consummate ease.

The score steadily progressed until the drinks break at 17 overs whilst Ant had survived a couple of dropped catches it was Clive, who never really looked in any trouble who went next top edging a full toss to third man for 40.

This saw the introduction of one of our new recruits Tim Froggatt who settled quickly into a good support role for Ant hitting a few nice shots but succumbed to a straight one which (apparently) kept low whilst rising off the seam and turning on a sixpence. Good to see he has made good use of the recently published ODCC book of excuses.

Enter Chris, who slipped straight in the vacated support role. Ant started to let rip including a couple of sixes one of which almost cleared the far side of the pavilion which was on the long boundary but it was not long till he pushed his luck a little too far and mistimed one to a deepish mid on for an excellent 83.

The final few overs were seen out by Chris and Tim without too much incident Chris finished unbeaten on 45 and Tim who didn’t really have enough time to get into his stride with 18 leaving us on a very good 230 for 4.

After a magnificent tea the turn round saw Stuart Cooper (our other newest addition) and Martin open the bowling. Both managed a good line and length and Stu in particular was most unlucky not to strike early as he was getting some good swing.

A change of bowling saw the first breakthrough when Ant in his first over had one clipped to Chris who managed to parry it into Tim Mac’s waiting hand. And a couple of balls later took the middle stump of his replacement.

Mark’s first over also saw his work in nets pay immediate dividends when he bowled the big hitting opener taking what was a crucial wicket.

Ant having got another when Chris snaffled a nick was replaced by Tim F who took one with Martin taking the catch at gully.

Adam took over from Mark and Stu for Tim and both were unlucky with a couple of chances being put down.

It might be a good time to mention the resurgence of the utterly butterly club (Martin) whilst it might (Clive) be churlish to (Tim F) name names (Stu) it remains something (Mark) that we need to tighten up on.

The final few overs were seen out by Adam and Anthony with East Sutton needing around 16 an over we were quite happy to guard the boundaries letting them pick up singles and Ant took advantage picking up another couple of wickets as they tried to hit out.

All in all a good day with some pleasing efforts all round a good drink after too!

Next week University of Kent