Full Fixture Information

Result Descriptiom

Won by 171 runs

Man of the Match

Josh Haslett - 5-2-5-5 and a cap

Champagne Moment

Josh's cap

Teddy Bear Moment

James A's fielding off his own bowling / kicking the ball over extra cover for a single

Full Match Report

It's everyone's favourite fixture. Nestled between the sixes and tour, in glorious sunshine, against a team of Bartletts, the Court House match is always a highlight.

And so it was yesterday, a strong East Meon won the toss and batted first. Will Atkinson, having worked his father to the bone during the week promptly stepped in to take his place when George's knees decided they weren't up to it, it was a strong batting line up all the way down to number 10 (Wayne may argue that given he's yet to get out this season we batted all the way to 11).

Having won the toss and knowing that team Bartlett weren't necessarily all regular cricketers I decided to tinker with the batting line up and so unusually (maybe for the first time) there were no Atkinsons in the top four.

Martin Cooke and Chris Hollis opened up. From the top end came A Bartlett. He was fast and very straight. Too straight for Chris who missed one and was LBW 8-1. Tim Clay came in and didn't last much longer bowled A Bartlett 17-2, I came in and lasted an even shorter amount of time 17-3 and so in the 7th over in came James Atkinson at number 5.

He didn't last long before playing a little early at the slow bowler from the other end and spooning to cover 34-4.

Will Atkinson came in, was dropped a couple of times and then was given out by Tim Lawrence LBW for 13, 76-5.

Hmmm we thought, that wasn't the plan for the funky batting order. Still Martin Cooke was playing very nicely with some lovely crisp drives and cuts through the off-side. One person even likened him to Jeff Wheeler, which I think was meant to be a compliment, but if so was they must have been recalling a Jeff Wheeler of yesteryear.

Martin eventually departing LBW to a horrible grubber for 30, 94-6, it was 94-7 later in the over as Josh Haslett came and went and it really didn't feel like we were doing very well.

But Ollie Atkinson, from the slightly unusual position of number 7 came in, smashed just about everything and with Chris Moor (20 not out) in block mode at the other end, Ollie hit a fine unbeaten 125 with 20 fours and 4 sixes and suddenly it was tea and we were 238-7.

A fine tea. Lots of guests and just about enough tea.

Then it was time to bowl.

Tim Lawrence opened from one end with Wayne at the other.
Some good tight bowling saw them each take a wicket in their spells.
Josh replaced Tim and was soon into his groove, a wicket in his third over was followed up by three in his 4th over and then another in his 5th over. And suddenly after 413 overs for the club over a number of years and matches, he had his first five-fer and a cap.

What an effort and very well deserved.

Andrew, Chris Hollis, James Atkinson all picked up a wicket each in their spells and the Court House were all out for 67 and we'd won at a canter. There was some fine slip catching from Oli, and a fine stumping from Chris M. What an effort.

It was then time to decamp to the Court House for a lovely BarBQ, wine, beer, off beer and sunshine. The most perfect end to the most perfect day. Thank you George and Clare for your unbelievable hospitality.