Woodfalls 08/07/18

A new venue on the edge of the New Forest saw the Wanderers travel a long way for this fixture.  Having lost the toss the Wanderers had a long afternoon in the field to look forward to!  Mark (on his comeback game) opened with Mike J at the other end.  Mark looked in good shape and should have picked up a wicket in the opening over when Will put a simple chance down at point.  Mike (now known as “Nipper”) struggled to find his footing with a dip in his bowling stride and bowled short in his first over, going for 18.  With Mark going for 9 in his next over, the score was 30-0 from the opening 3 overs and the outlook was bleak.  A maiden from Nipper and then a wicket-maiden from Mark (14-2) changed things with a cracking delivery taking the top of middle stump.  Next over Jon took a good catch to give Nipper a wicket and he doubled his tally in the next over when Nipper (40-2) took a really smart c&b.  When David (24-1) came on, the runs started to dry up – his first 4 overs were maidens and a huge appeal brought about a wicket aswell.  Jon (28-0), at the other end, was getting some movement both ways and some extra lift off a good length and was unlucky not to get a wicket.  Tommy came on and was clattered about a bit.  He was unlucky not to get a wicket when Will took a brilliant catch at cow corner only to fall over the boundary to conceed a six (the ball was called no-ball for height anyway)!  No matter, 2 balls later the repeat happened only for Will to take an even better catch!  Will was brought in for a new batsman who holed out in the same zone!  Mark came back on and took an almost identical wicket.  A good performance in the heat to restict the hosts to 169-8 in 35 overs.

Mike W and Jon opened the batting a started hitting boundaries quickly and the opening partnership set the platform for the innings.  Worth 71, it was scored at 6 an over.  Mike (39) was bowled to bring Tommy to the crease.  He was straight into form and the two of them put on 56 in 11 overs before Tommy (38) was stumped to bring PW into bat at number 4.  Jon (58) was caught shortly after his 50 and Simon joined PW at the crease.  PW was enjoying himself, pulling twice to the boundary before he too was caught to bring Will in who scored the winning runs.

MOM: Jon

Catch of the day: What a competition but it goes to Nipper

Quote of the day: “Don’t bowl there to him Nipper!”