Arun CC   v   St. James CC

 5thAugust 2007

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 St James CC  210-8    Old Ruts 115-10   

Match Won

 

 

A Woolley       6         

J Smith             13         4-1-5-3

F Karim           28

R Pierson        9          5-1-7-2              1 catch

O Ehsan          20

R Boyle           20        3-0-16-1

R Singh           13*       2-1-2-0

N Shiraz          61         4-1-11-0

D Smith            1*         2-1-6-0             1 catch

S Smith                        dnb      5-1-18-0

S Yousaf          dnb      8-2-17-4            1 catch

 

 

To the sunny climbs of Climping and Saturday’s smarting soothed by a midday dip in the brine. A glorious Summer’s day and a fabulous setting for the most perfect of pastimes on one of best pitches St James CC has played on in all its years. The friendly folk of Arun CC welcomed us warmly. Won the toss and put us in to bat.

 

Andrew and Jack got us under way and both played well pushing the ball around with confidence and running well between the wickets for a partnership of 29 from 8 overs ending with Jack bowled from a good, straight ball from an energetic Arun attack. Faisal in and looking good hitting to all parts and the score racing along until Andrew let one through his solid defence in the 13th over and the score on 56 – another good partnership. Robin next up and enjoying time at the crease, Faisal went back to a low, straight ball and fell lbw and left, for possibly the first time in history, in full agreement with the umpire. Ousman took up the gauntlet, thrashed about and the score hared along for 10 overs taking it just shy of the century until a good catch had him heading back to the hutch. Ryan in now and dancing down the pitch pushing singles and hooking boundaries and looking a good foil for Robin and the score went on another 25 in 5 before Ryan danced one too many and the Arun keeper had his reward. A subdued looking Rehal looked solid as ever, Robin was finally caught for 9 after 69 minutes bringing a chirpy looking Nabeel to the crease who immediately got to work on a tiring bowling attack flinging the ball to all parts and gloriously crashing a 6 to bring up his half century. Continue he did for a while longer before getting maybe a little too greedy in the last over bringing in the skipper for the last ball. 213 in 40 overs was the best total set this year by St James reaping the benefit of good, solid batting all the way down, tea was hungrily munched whilst plotting the capture of 10 wickets.

 

Stan was thrust in to open the bowling and responded with a maiden. Simon, who had finally turned up missing the opportunity to bat, was given the other end and had the opener caught and bowled second ball. Tight bowling ensued for the next 10 overs getting one more for Simon but Stan was unlucky but plucky producing a good spell of swing bowling. Ryan took over Stan’s end and after getting his line took the wicket on the Arun number 3 who was looking dangerous in his hitting, Nabeel at the other end was threatening but was destined to the same fate as young Stan. Arun had been tied down in the run rate but were hanging on to their wickets, having lost only 3 in 21 overs, and so the ball was chucked to Robin and Jack to try to remedy this. Jack got a couple in his first over one thanks to a well held diver by Robin, and another in his second, Robin got one in his second and another in his third  and so in 5 overs the match was turned squarely in favour of St James with only two to find in the last 10 overs. David and Rehal tried their luck to no avail and so it was left to Simon to wrap things up in a final spell of 8 balls.

 

So much could be said of this day of cricket, but the overwhelming feeling was one of happiness in participating in a game involving and enjoyed by all players. Drinks in the bar flowed freely and return fixtures were organised, the sun kissed participants relaxed and wondered if things could actually get any better.