Fonthill Park 04/09/21

On a glorious September afternoon, the Wanderers elected to bat.  Big Dog was bowled in the 4th over with the score on 7.  Mike M (4) was caught by a tremendous catch low down at point next over.  When Tom (3) was caught in the gulley by one that nipped through, alarm bells started to ring with the score 15-3 from 10.  Ben, on debut, clubbed a couple to the boundary before he was bowled for 9 leaving Chris B to be joined by Mark with 23 overs left and the Wanderers 31-4!  The two batted sensibly ensuring that they go themselves in before playing too expansively.  Mark did open up occasionally, hitting the spinner for an explosive six over cow corner – it was just a shame Tommy wasn’t able to see how it is done on this (or any other) ground.  The 50 partnership came in 11 overs – the next 50 in only 5 overs!  When Mark was bowled by a yorker on 41, the partnership had yielded 120 from 19 overs.  Simon, recuperating from his knee surgery, had Mark to act as a runner.  He was not called into action with Simon falling LBW to complete a 5-wicket haul for the home opening bowler.  Leo, also on debut, kept Chris company for a few overs before he was bowled on the penultimate ball, leaving the last ball for Bob.  Chris was not out 72 from 25 overs leaving the Wanderers 169-7 in their 35 overs.

A fantastic tea was provided in the pavilion before the Wanderers started on taking the 10 wickets for victory.  Ben and Leo opened the attack, with Leo proving difficult to get away.  The opening wicket came from Ben (1-22), whose left-arm over the wicket bowling with some movement back up the hill was too much for the opener.  Despite a good opening spell, the hosts were 31-1 from 6.  Mark and Chris came into the attack and straight away wickets looked likely to fall.  Mark was skidding through with some variable bounce and Chris was causing difficulty with turn, variation in pace and flight.  it was Chris getting the next wicket, with the batsman reluctant to get forward, he was trapped in the crease with stumps all over the show.  Mark replied by hitting the top of leg stump.  Meanwhile, PW seemed to dance all around the ball as it travelled towards the boundary, going up and down the hill!  The next batsman out fell into the trap set by the skipper with Tom on the long-on boundary and Chris tossing the ball up, the batsman could not resist and holed out to Tom.  Mark was unlucky when an LBW shout bang in front was turned down.  Leo came back and it was him that claimed the wicket of the captain, playing round a full straight delivery.  The Fonthill opener had by now retired hurt having pulled a calf muscle, and PW came into the attack with mixed results.  The good balls were good causing difficulty for the batsmen, but there were lots of gimmie deliveries.  However, one such good delivery had flight, the perfect length and turn, drawing the batsman forward with Big Dog taking the stumping.  The next wicket caused controversy.  Again PW (2-46) found a great ball – this time the batsman edged through to Big Dog.  The umpire called not out although it had clearly hit the edge.  The batsman walked but a comment from Tom sparked a fierce reply from the umpire that took a while to sort out.  Chris (3-17) came back on and took a c&b, Mark (2-22)  took an LBW that required the return of the injured opener.  He clattered several fours on his return, threatening to win the game.  Leo (2-41) came on and with the last ball of his spell took the final wicket to bring victory by 13 runs.

MOM: Mark – holding the innings together

Catch of the day: Tom on the boundary

Quote of the day: From Big Dog: “PW you have moon-walked all around that ball as it went for four”