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Match report: East Meon CC vs Courthouse XIV
With last year being rained off, George Bartlett?s Courthouse squad of 14 rotational playing members looked to take on EMCC.
Your author was the stand-in captain for the game and following Andrew De-Wob?s poor tossing form, managed to negotiate a bowl first outcome that benefitted both teams. The courthouse Captain Harry announced this game as his retirement game and looked to inspire the next generation of Bartletts to follow in his footsteps. There must have been 15 or so supporting crew of which many were aspiring future cricketers.
Now to the game. Opening with Sticko and Wayne, both bowled a good line and held the opening 10 overs to a sedate run rate, with a couple of wickets picked up. Of note was Wayne?s in swinging yorker to bowl their No.3. Apparently, the wise words of Lakh helped (or perhaps the vapor of Rum coming out of his mouth from a party the night before, gave Wayne the boost he needed!)
With some early wickets, the spin twins of Josh and Lakh came on, looking to tie down some tight overs. Whilst Josh succeeded, Lakh not so much and the partnership or Hal B and Bar B started to go through the gears. The captain tried his luck and seemed to be carted towards the pavilion by Hal who seemed to be inspired by this week?s Wimbledon. Barr fell to a caught and bowled, though Tim L tried his best to slide tackle the bowler as the dolly was taken.
With the runs climbing above 150,160,170; Tim L came on to steady the ship. And that he did with a fine spell of 8 overs for very little and a couple of wickets. Ed R caught a magnificent catch in the deep to depart Hal for 70.
Sharing the love, Chucka Wheeler and Soleman came on, Wheeler bowling at the tail snaffled one, Soleman wicketless but tight. Finally, Crombie aided the oppo to 219 before the heavens opened and tea was called 5 mins early.
To say the pitch was wet is an understatement. The remainder of the sawdust that had lasted the club 20 years was used to mop up pools of water at the creases.
Alas, with 219 on the board, the courthouse marched out searching for a win. Rupert Smith (Doctor Rupert as he is called due to a new Rupert Smith entering the fray this week) strode out with Crombie. A few balls later Crombie came back to the hutch; ?a day to forget? were his words (or something to that effect with a couple of expletives in between). Ed R was given the opportunity to bat long. However, the oppo bowling was making it difficult. Bowled for 2.
Lakh, on a hangover, formed a steady but important partnership with Rupert that ticked the score up over the 100 mark as we approached drinks. The captain gave his advice that in the last 10 overs; just like the Candover win, we can chase anything with wickets in hand.
And that they did, motoring on, Rupert picking up his 50 and then 24 off one over. Lakh finally succumbed for 29. This brought Ollie in who seemed free willed off the back of the Sixes tournament. With Rupert, the runs climbed at 10 an over and suddenly 6/7 an over required meant that a win was on the cards.
Rupert, although not chanceless, played a sublime innings and finally fell 6 runs short of his maiden 100. Well done Rupert.
This left the famous ?game finishing? partnership of Josh Haslett and Ollie to see off the 219 with 6 wickets in hand and 5 overs to go.
A fine game of cricket with all eventualities possible throughout. We retired to the Courthouse to a feast of meat, salad and a trio of puddings that your stand-in captain enjoyed with a serving spoon.
Thank you so much to George, Clare and the whole Bartlett family for your hospitality, continued support and a very enjoyable Sunday of cricket.