Fonthill Park 12/06/22

After a week off to celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee, the Wanderers headed to Fonthill Park on another warm sunny day.  The hosts elected to bat first after winning the toss on a pitch that had been used 2 days earlier for an evening game.  Stu got us underway and quickly established that the batsmen were keen on full-toss deliveries, conceding 13 from his opening 2 overs.  Meanwhile Fos, from the pavilion end, was proving hard to get away, with only 5 runs from his first 4 overs.  It was Stu (1-24 from 4) who got the first wicket, a full-length delivery outside of off-stump that swung away enough to get the outside edge of the driving bat that was taken comfortably by The Boy at first slip.  Leo (0-27) replaced Stu and was generating plenty of in-swing movement – so much that he was worked away in his first over for 15.  After that he produced some great deliveries that had the batsmen in trouble at times.  Fos (0-22) was unfortunate to end his spell wicket-less, the only chance was a forceful straight drive that he got enough of a hand to to stop it from reaching Simon at mid-off.  Raj replaced Fos and Ali replaced Leo.  Raj (1-21) was generating a large amount of away swing and was fortunate not to concede any wides as a result.  He did get the wicket of Rupert, who was on form with the bat, when a good-length delivery seamed in to take middle stump and break the 67 run partnership.  Ali (1-13) took the wicket of the opener when on 49, when a full-toss was edged high to Mike M at backward square-leg.  With the team fearing the worst, Mike took a splendid catch.  Shortly afterwards, Skipper took a catch behind the stumps that the umpire failed to hear.  David came on at the tree end and Simon from the pavilion end.  Some of the Wanderers fielding left something to be desired with many choosing feet rather than hands.  However, a semblance of control fell over the Wanderers with wickets looking likely, especially with Simon turning the ball.  David (1-24 from 7) got in amongst the wickets when Ali held onto a catch to leave Fonthill 116-5 from 25 overs.  Simon (3-22) took 2 wickets bowled – one chopped on – and one with Tommy taking a catch.   There was no late acceleration and the innings closed on 158-7.

The Weld brothers opened the innings and it was only in the third over when Tommy (8) was trapped in front of his stumps bringing Leo to the crease.  Leo (6) played some great shots and ran well with Fred before he was bowled.  Stu (1) looked comfortable when he was caught and at 41-3 from 11 overs the Wanderers needed some rebuilding.  Fred (31) was eventually bowled with 17 overs left bringing skipper to join Simon at 63-4.  Both were running fast between the wickets keeping the fielding team on their toes.  Skipper was enjoying a contest with the leading bowler by placing shots to third man either side of the fielder.  The 50-run partnership was broken when Simon (28) played on when trying to guide to third man, and Raj played with a degree of urgency when he arrived.  Skipper (33) was stumped when trying to drive over the top, but with 25 needed from the last 10 overs, Ali (15no) and Raj (16no) guided the Wanderers home with ease.  A competitive, close game played in excellent spirit.

MOM: Simon

Catch of the day: Mike M

Quote of the day: Jas (Fos’ better half): “still no wickets Fos”