Sunday 30th June 2019
Famine to feast again on the availability front and we had numbers to play two Sunday fixtures this weekend, thus avoiding the difficult decision of having to tell a handful of people that they had no game. Plans were hastily changed when the original opposition called an hour after the second fixture was booked to say they couldn’t raise a side; but we found a replacement opposition well known to us selected the sides accordingly.
To say the afternoon was a success was an understatement…
Home Friendly
Stoke D’Abernon 211 for 7 (40 overs)
Hampton Hill 97 all out (29.3 overs)
Stoke D’Abernon won by 114 runs
President Finch looked after matters at HQ and got first use of the pitch used for the previous day’s league match. It still played well and encouraged the batsmen to do the same.
Malcolm Dickson and Alistair McMillan opened the batting, (for the first time this season – a feature on these two will come on a slow news day), but both were gone with 28 on the board.
This provided an early opportunity for Thomas Dennis to get some valuable time in the middle, and he didn’t disappoint, making 54. He lost Neil Foster, (27), along the way; but the run rate remained healthy as the captain continued his great form with 51; Richard Harris chipped in with an unbeaten 30 and others unselfishly gave away their wickets in the pursuit of quick runs. Stoke closed on 211 for 7.
In reply the opposition, who had advertised themselves as weak when the fixture was agreed, never really got going and fell away to 97 all out; but this was as much a credit to the Stoke bowling and fielding. The first five bowlers used all took wickets; Carel Ferreira, (2 for 8), McMillan, (2 for 20), and Rod Thomson, (5-3-9-1), shared the first five.
Chris Finch returned from injury and collected his second best ever bowling figures in his 404th appearance when taking 3 for 11 in four overs. Dennis effected a run out and Rory Harris completed the win by castling No.11. Thanks to Carel for sourcing Louis Lecornu to complete the XI – he was afforded three overs towards the end to make sure everyone had a chance to contribute.
A great afternoon’s work…but this was merely the entrée…
Scorecard : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/website/results/4063539
Away Friendly Read more