Sunday Friendly
Magdalen CC 213 for 8 dec (44 overs)
Stoke D’Abernon 216 for 4 (37 overs)
Stoke D’Abernon won by 6 wickets
A day to remember for Jase Earl as he hit his first ever century to help Stoke’s Sunday XI, (or ten as they were a man short), to a six wicket victory at Imber Court against Magdalen CC. There was also a maiden half-century in senior cricket for Michael Dolman.
On another warm day, Stoke found themselves in the field after losing the toss; but Donovan Hall and Dom Lloyd bowed well on a pitch that played better than it looked.
Lloyd struck first when C.Hogg was bowled attempting to pull a ball that was too full. Hall beat the bat repeatedly and got his reward when No.3 Williams drilled to cover where Dolman took a great catch. Dolman would later keep wicket after the first of two drinks breaks.
First change Ralph Coleman bowled six economical overs either side of drinks and castled opener Burton for 29. At the other end Whiteman survived a vociferous appeal for a catch at the wicket; Rowland Prytherch the unfortunate bowler; but the reintroduction of Hall for a short burst did for him when he clipped to mid-wicket where Will Thomson took a good catch. 98 for 4.
Hall, (11-1-36-3), accounted for Scott with the total on 121; this being the first of a number of mini-partnerships. Ash was initially scratchy, but made it to 35 before Rod Thomson took a good catch off son Will.
More nuisance lower order runs as Corsini, (37), and Holder, (30), added 42 more as the bowlers started to toil, and opportunities with the ball were given to others in keeping with the ethos of Stoke Sunday cricket; but a committed fielding effort made scoring runs off anything other than a bad ball difficult. Lloyd returned to the attack and accounted for both to finish with commendable figures of 10-1-41-3; a further catch for Rod Thomson and a stumping for Dolman.
The declaration was made at a time, rather than a score, at 213 for 8 after 44 overs; leaving Stoke – and the hosts – just over an hour plus twenty overs to force a win.
After tea, Rick Mustill and emergency No.3 Coleman, (Adam Cooke was absent with leave and Will Thomson needed to nurse a hand injury sustained in the field); fell cheaply, but Earl and Rod Thomson put together a partnership of exactly 100.
Thomson hit 43 with three fours, and the pair ran well as it was still hard work in the field. The asking rate was still high, but preservation of wickets was important and a platform was set at the point of Thomson’s dismissal, falling to an excellent catch in the deep with 107 runs needed from the last ten overs.
To their credit, Magdalen continued to try and buy their wickets and maintain interest, but Earl took all the runs on offer and found new partner Dolman in belligerent form. The pair were able to get an early boundary most overs; and the asking rate stayed at tens going into the last half-a-dozen overs.
At this point the pyrotechnics began. A big over was needed, and Dolman produced two; smashing sixth bowler Scott for 18 in his one over; then the returning Hook for 23 in the next, to complete his half-century.
As the winning line drew near in quicker time than expected, Earl called for his score and was informed he was 87 not out, (not a good number for an Australian); but he moved to 99 with two sixes, one of them tipped over the boundary, his only real scare during his time at the crease; and a pushed single next ball completed the job.
The very next ball Dolman, (51 with six fours and two sixes), skied to mid-wicket as the home side fought to the end; but the very next ball was clipped by Earl to the vacant fine-leg boundary to complete an incredible win with twelve balls to spare.
Will there be a more popular centurion in the club this season? Earl’s unbeaten 104 contained twelve fours and four sixes, and was as good a hundred you could wish to see; patient build up, punishment of bad balls, good calling & running and a change of gear at the right time.
The demands of home meant Earl was unable to join a highly sociable post-match session at The Ewe where the clubs agreed that making this emergency fixture, (Magdalen’s original opposition, Kempton, were unable to raise a side), into a more permanent one for next season…
…but don’t worry Jase, we WILL celebrate your great day at HQ in true Stoke style very soon.
Scorecard Link : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11465811