Coombe Bissett 08/05/22

On a delightfully warm and sunny day at Shutts Lane Skipper won the toss and elected to bat with Simon and Raj opening the innings.  It was only in the fourth over when Raj (2) played on and Shan (2) fell LBW in the same over.  Skipper (1) hoped to steady things but played a poor shot to a straight ball and Tommy (8) allowed one through the gate.  When Ali was bowled for no score, the Wanderers were 43-5 from 13 overs, but with Simon at the crease there was hope of setting a target.  Ben (8) kept Simon company for 5 overs before he was well bowled by a yorker, score now 72-6.  Mike F (on debut) looked accomplished at the crease, even if he has a wildly unusual stance at the crease.  Unfortunately, Mike (12) tried a reverse sweep to the spinner’s first ball and was trapped in front of the stumps.  David occupied some time with Simon but was out LBW when attempting to sweep for no score.  At 132-8, and still 11 overs left, Simon was in danger of running out of batting partners.  Mike M (5) played his usual mix of French cricket and ‘leave’ shots to frustrate the bowlers, but it was Simon who was out next with a gentle nudge of the glove through to the keeper for a wonderful 85 in 32 overs.  Big Dog (5no)  and Mike added 9 for the last wicket including a great four from Mike M through third man that he knew very little about!  A great recovery built around a superb innings from Simon allowed the Wanderers to post 160 all out.

After a magnificent tea served in the top deck of the pavilion, the Wanderers had a total to defend.  From early on it became clear that they would need to bowl out their hosts who had the required attacking intent.  Raj took the opening wicket by taking out the leg stump and then David (1-19), replacing Raj (1-27)at the Pavilion end, embraced the LBW appeal moment with a full on one knee shout.  With Ali also finding the top of off-stump, the hosts were 11-3 from 8 overs.  Tommy replaced Ali (1-6) and was less ‘buffet’ than normal with a flatter trajectory.  Nevertheless, the inform batsman decided that this must go and launched a big hit to long-on.  With Simon underneath it the game appeared to rest on the coming seconds.  Unfortunately, in trying to catch Aussie style, the ball slipped through his grasp and this was a big let off.  Tommy (1-8) did strike next with an LBW dismissal.  Shan replaced the boy and took the left-hander’s wicket when a thick edge ballooned over Skipper’s head, only for Skipper to reach up one handed to grasp the ball.  At 79-5 there was still plenty of time to get the runs but Ali took a catch off Simon with the score on 102 and then Shan (4-14) had his moment.  He began his fourth over with a delivery that was just short of a length and cutting back to take leg stump.  The next ball was a replica, this time hitting middle stump.  The hattrick ball was even better, hitting top of middle and off.  The game was almost up but just enough time for Simon (2-10) to rescind his catching error by bowling the Coombe top batsman to complete the 58 run victory.

MOM: Simon

Catch of the day: Skipper

Quote of the day: Big Dog: “I think we have made a game of this and now wont be in the pub early” as Simon started to pile on the runs.