Coombe Bissett 09/05/21

With the weather looking gloomy and the strong wind swirling around the ground, the Wanderers stood with their hosts as a minute’s silence was observed to honour an ex-Coombe Bissett player who’d passed away.

Having been put into bat (with only 10 men), Big Dog was not ready to open as he got lost getting to the ground so Tommy joined David.  Tommy was bowled 3rd ball by one that cut in from well outside off stump to take the top of leg, and Big Dog was almost ready by this point.  David was caught at point which brought Skipper to the crease in only the 4th over.  When Simon (9) was bowled by one that kept low, Big Dog was joined by Simon T at 22-3.  He was off the mark with a four and looked to be in good nick.  With a slow run rate came a steady recovery with always the likelihood of a boundary, especially to the short ball being pulled down the hill.  Simon hit a six over square leg to bring up the century.  The partnership was worth 80 when Big Dog (35) was finally bowled in the 32nd over.  Just 6 runs later Simon T (35) was also bowled leaving Ali and Shan to create some magic in the closing overs.  Ali (9) played well and Shan (20) hit strongly with a great six over mid-wicket.  Shan was caught and then Ali was bowled before Mike M (1) became the sixth Wanderer to be bowled.  Mike H (1) and Mark (9) saw out the closing overs with two delightful boundaries from Mark.

With tea being served outside on pre set plates, the warm tea was the most heartily greeted!

Mark and David set about the task of getting the wickets for victory and with the first 4 overs bowled, only 9 runs conceded.  However, it was clear that wickets were the key to victory and Ali and Shan replaced them after 4 overs each that had not produced the sought after breakthrough that the bowling had merited.  Shan (1-20) got the opening wicket with some movement down the hill hitting the top of middle and leg.  It was clear that the movement both bowlers were getting was causing some degree of difficulty and the fielding was backing up the bowlers – Mike M nearly holding onto a tracer bullet at mid-wicket and some excellent sliding stops from Mike H.  The weather started to look even more bleak with some drizzle keeping the ball wet and reducing any swing.  Simon T struggled with his radar and Tommy’s buffets seemed too inviting despite the bounce he was getting.  Ali (1-24) took the next breakthrough with a fuller delivery that the batsman failed to get forward to; clattering into the stumps.  Ali was unfortunate not to get a strong LBW shout go in his favour and Big Dog took a smart catch down leg-side that was adjudged to be only off the pad.  In the end the victory total was achieved by 8 wickets with 6 overs to spare, but the game did not seem that clear-cut as it unfolded.

MOM: Big Dog for holding the innings together when it was unravelling!

Catch of the day:  An excellent effort by Mike M but unfortunately none taken

Quote of the day: Big Dog “There’s a 50% chance of rain at 5pm and 90% at 6pm so it’s not likely to happen” – Just a small shower at 5:50.