St James v Old Whitgiftians
Old Whits 105 all out – St James 106-5
R.Pierson ct 9 2.2-2-0-2
H.Majeed ct 7 3-1-7-1
J.Smith b 4 5-3-9-1
J.Stretton b 29
B.Stretton ct 33
D.Smith no 6 2 catches
S.Smith no 2 4-2-10-0 1 catch
A.Sheikh dnb 6-1-15-1
D.Owen dnb 7-1-9-3 1 catch
P.Love dnb 4-0-17-0
N.Majeed dnb 4-1-20-0
12th man D.Love
St James won the toss and asked ten man Old Whits to bat. Dave Owen roared in
and made the most of the awkward bounce on offer to pick up three wickets. He
removed both openers, the first caught behind, the second clean bowled and then
added the third also caught behind by Dave. The ball was so straight that
skipper Dave behind the stumps had started to move to the leg side when the edge
sent it the other way. He leapt full stretch to his right and took a superb
one handed, finger and thumb catch to put Old Whits in deep trouble.
Dave was supported at the other end by Stan and Patrick, Stan in particular
keeping things tight. Jack came on after Dave and the two combined for the
fourth wicket when the ball was prodded into the leg side and Dave took a fine
catch. Meanwhile at the other end Ash piled the pressure on Old Whits by bowling
out their number five batsmen in his first over.
At this point the Norbury wicket misbehaved once more when a not overly short ball
from Jack reared up and caught the new Old Whits batsmen in the cheek
in such a way that he had to leave for the hospital to get three
stitches. Fortunately he returned after the match and graciously seemed unconcerned.
Old Whits rallied a little at this point and catches were spilt off Ash’s
bowling and Naseem came close but couldn’t make a breakthrough. As they reached
one hundred Robin came on and finished off the tail with two quick wickets.
However on the ever fickle Norbury wicket 105 might have proved a tricky target.
Old Whits started the defence with only 8 men so it provided opportunity for Billie,
a regular net attendee to make his first appearance in an adult game of cricket
and we supplied an extra fielder from the lads to make 10.
The Old Whits opening bowlers were both young and quick and kept the batsmen
alert. Runs flowed steadily but St James were 40-3 after Hameed chipped
unconvincingly to mid off, Jack played across a straight one and Robin was
caught at slip. Johnno and his brother Barry now stepped up and steadied the
ship with some strong hitting. Barry took a particular liking to a loose over
from the Old Whits off spinner Robinson and pummelled two sixes out of the ground
and into neighbouring gardens. But he departed for 33 and skipper Dave joined
Johnno to grind down the runs needed. Johnno fell to a mistimed pull as the end
was in sight for 29 and Stan came out to help Dave get us over the line.
A solid victory for St James was enjoyed by all. Dave Owen was voted man of the
match for his tremendous opening spell and Barry’s hitting and Dave’s brilliant
catch were nominated for champagne moments. Johno as ever anchored the batting reply
and it was agreed that everyone made significant contributions to the game.
A big thank you went to those who stood down and undertook 12th man duties.