Bride Vale 26/09/21

After some quality beers in the sunshine at the Spyway, the Wanderers won the toss and elected to bat in a time game.  Garry started like a man on a mission, crashing a square cut to the ropes on the second ball and then following it up with a repeat 2 balls later.  He hit his 32 in the opening 6 overs but then he got one that ripped back into him, getting a top edge that slip took comfortably.  Simon got off the mark and then Big Dog was bowled to leave the Wanderers 44-2.  Skipper (29) took a while to get settled, then exploded in hitting 18 in 1 over before being trapped LBW by a surprise good ball.  A 54 run partnership in just 6 overs showed what was possible on a fairly true Bride Vale wicket.  Will (4) placed a boundary delicately to third-man before he was bowled bringing Brett to the crease.  It was not long before Brett was dispatching boundaries at the same rate as Simon and the 100 partnership was achieved in only 11 overs, the 2 spinners going for 57 and 58 respectively in 6 overs each!  Brett was bowled not long after another boundary brought up his 50 with the score now 230-5 (1 six and 9 fours in his 52).  Shortly after Ben arrived at the crease Simon completed his century with a cut through point for four.  Skipper declared 10 minutes early with Simon 111 not out and Ben on 10 with 259-5 on the board.

After a tea from Skipper’s boot with smoked salmon, dips and Victoria sponge, David and Ben opened the attack.  David appeared to claim the opening wicket when Mike M (guesting for Bride Vale who were short) edged to Big Dog.  Neither the umpire or Mike were moving so we went again with the ball crashing into Mike’s pads in front of the stumps and this time the finger was raised.  Ben (0-8) struggled to keep the ball on track – his in swing dragging the ball to leg too often.  Brett came on and immediately looked dangerous.  Pete replaced David (1-15) got the key breakthrough when one delivery got some lift, took the outside edge and skipper took a smart catch at first slip.  Brett took the wicket of the other opener when one kept low and trapped him in front.  PW bowled some good balls but lacked the ability to force the batsmen out when they were intent on defending.  There were plenty of half chances with Fos (Paul) declining a half-chance over his head, Will with one going past his left hand and PW seeming to dance all around a chance that was lofted towards him at point.  Simon and Garry bowled in tandom and this looked to be the best opportunity to get wickets with both bowlers turning the ball and making the batsmen play.  Garry got the home captain’s wicket when he played on and then bowled the next batsman first ball.  The hattrick ball was played away well but the Wanderers were sensing the opportunity.  Will had a burst and while his bowling was accurate, the batsmen were able to leave most deliveries.  Brett and Simon came back to try to force the win in the final 4 overs, both getting a wicket, but ultimately the Wanderers fell just short of victory. (138-7)

A draw on the final day of the season was a fitting way to end another great campaign by the Wanderers.

MOM: Simon – his maiden century for the Wanderers

Catch of the day: Skipper at slip

Quote of the day: Paul F: “Red pepper hummus is perfectly fitting the image of Dorset Wanderers”