Lobsters 22/05/22

A sunny day in Damerham greeted the Wanderers as 10 of the 11 enjoyed the hospitality at the Compasses Inn next to the ground (Ben was lost again!).  Skipper elected to bat first in a 35 over contest with David and Ben opening the innings.  Progress was slow and steady with the shear number of wides keeping the score moving.  After 11 overs the Wanderers had advanced to 39-0 with Ben cracking a few boundaries.  The next 9 overs brought 60 runs with David finding the boundary and byes and wides continuing to add to the score.  The opening stand was about to make it to a century when David (33) was brilliantly run out with a direct hit, with the stand worth 99.  With 15 overs to go and the score 99-1, Raj made a sudden impact, seven of his first 9 scoring shots were fours.  Ben passed his 50 with a four, a fact almost missed by our resident scorer!  By this stage the Lobsters wicket-keeper, who had been up most of the night shearing sheep (yes that is the correct spelling!), could not continue and so Skipper went out to keep for the hosts.   A strong appeal for LBW against Ben was given – it would have hit middle and leg – and a fine innings of 55 came to an end.  Leo joined Raj at 154-2 with 9 overs left and was straight off the mark with a confident clip to the leg-side.  After passing his 50 with another four, Raj then started to clear the boundary and when he was eventually bowled for 77 he had hit 11 fours and 3 sixes.  This brought Shan (8no) out to join Leo (13no) for the last 2 overs, putting on 20 valuable runs.  229-3 from 35 overs.

After a wonderful tea, Leo and Simon opened the bowling, with both struggling to maintain a consistent line and length. With Luke replacing Leo at the pub end and Fosbury replacing Simon, the consistent probing deliveries were happening at both ends and Luke struck first removing the hosts’ captain after he played-on with and inside edge.  Fos thought he had his first wicket of the season when Big Dog took a fine catch behind the stumps only for it to be turned down.  After some taunting from Simon, Fos hit leg-stump next ball.  A few overs later he removed the other opener (the injured keeper) for 2 with the score now at 68-3 from 20 overs.  Ben replaced Pete and Leo came back on at the pub end following Luke’s spell that included a catch from Ben (2-25).  Ben’s wickets came thick and fast, first bowled and then a catch to Mike M at mid-on who looked as terrified as is possible while the ball was in flight towards him!  Leo was unfortunate not to get a wicket when a catch by Simon was ‘put down’ to allow the young batsman to continue.  Ben now had 2 more victims to his name – both bowled – and looked to have a fifth when Skipper took a one handed catch at slip, only for this also to be ‘put down’.  Skipper came on to bowl some grenades, one of which took a wicket with a catch from Mike M at gulley.  The last man in (12th man) had been on a late night out although the true storey did not live up to the build up!  The final wicket did go to Ben who completed a fine all-round performance of 55 with the bat, a catch and 5-18.

MOM: Ben

Catch of the day: Mike M with mouth wide open!

Quote of the day: Simon to Fos after his appeal for caught behind was unsuccessful: “Are you still wicket-less this season?”