St James CC v Blindley Heath CC
135-8   117-9  Draw
Saturday 21st June



A Woolley 8
R Pierson 43 13-3-30-3
J Stretton 23
J Kleinveldt 5 10-1-32-1
D Smith 11
R Boyle 9
J Boyle 21 4-0-5-0
D Love 9* 9-3-15-2
S Smith 1 4-1-6-0
R Bush 2* 5-0-25-0
C Woolley dnb


Despite the rain overnight, the Norbury pitch held up ok and we had an enjoyable
days cricket. Blindley Heath won the toss and put us in to bat.

An accurate opening spell from the Blindley openers kept Robin and Andrew quiet
for the first ten overs. In attempting to pick up the pace Robin ran Andrew out
 when he called for a single that wasn’t there. But trying to make amends
Robin got going driving and cutting and taking on the older Blindley fielders
with quick singles. Johnno was an ideal partner, picking off the singles before
clubbing some much needed boundaries off the Blindley spinners.
The pair put on 53 in 16 overs before Johnno was caught in the deep for 24 and
Robin was beaten by their leg spinner for 43. John Kleinveldt soon followed but
the lower middle order held firm. Ryan (9), Dave (9) and James (21) kept the
score moving at a good pace and played some lovely shots. The two best were
Dave’s lofted clip over mid wicket for four and James enormous six, hammered
over wide long on. With time running out and wickets falling Darren did well to
scrape the last few runs together with Stan and Richard before tea.

Although 135-9 doesn’t sound like a tough target, we knew that with the uneven
bounce and slow outfield, it was a competitive score. The Blindley openers came
out to face Stan and Darren who caused them a few problems. Darren kept up a
nagging off stump line while Stan once more got the batsmen to chip in the air,
but alas no fielders were underneath the ball. Robin came on first change and
managed to pick up the experienced Blindley opener caught at square leg by
Darren. A fired up Robin bowled a fast accurate spell and kept runs to a minimum
without forcing another break through. At the other end Darren was replaced by
James who exploited the uneven bounce well. Although the Blindley batsmen
weren’t scoring fast, they were putting together a good partnership.
John and Richard came on to try and get the batsmen out with guile.
Unfortunately the Blindley number three hit Richard to Ryan at square leg and
was dropped. He later clubbed an even harder chance off John to Darren at mid
wicket and was dropped. But Richard made the break through as the Blindley
opener chipped to James at mid on. But they were now scoring a run a ball and
they only needed five an over to win. John requested Ryan be brought in to field
close and he immediately ran out the Blindley number three with another great
piece of fielding.
Robin returned and clean bowled the new Blindley batsmen and Darren returned at
the other end to pick up a wicket caught by Johnno at mid on. The game was
see-sawing nicely now with the run rate climbing and the fielders hovering. The
Blindley opening bowler was now in and threatened to get going with some
powerful blows back down the ground. He then struck Darren to wide mid on and
Johnno took a stunning and match turning diving catch. Robin and Dave then ran
out the incoming batsmen and the pressure was on the Blindley batsmen. Robin
overpitched in the next over looking for the breakthrough and was driven for two
fours. He made amends by bowling the Blindley batsmen two balls later with one
that nipped back off the seam. It all came down to the last over with St James
needing one wicket to win and the Blindley wicket keeper holding out for a draw.
He did glove the ball down the leg side where Robin’s diving attempt came close
to the catch but in the end it was a draw.
Both teams really enjoyed the game and St James’ performance both on and off the
field was really encouraging. Johnno’s important catches were great champagne moments and
Robin pipped him for man of the match.