Kilmington and Stourton 19/09/20

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat on a great looking track.  With both David and Simon struggling with finding their length, the score was 27-0 from the opening 2 overs!  David was uncharacteristically off his game and was replaced by Simon T.  The opening wicket belonged to Simon when a straight drive found a great pair of hands in Tom.  Simon T was creating difficulties for the batsmen with a good amount of turn, but anything remotely short was hit hard.  Jay (on loan from Wriggle Valley CC) replaced Simon and bowled well after an expensive opening over.  Stuart then came on down the hill and bowled some excellent deliveries against 2 class batsmen.  Simon T got the next breakthrough when Tommy held a catch.  Tommy came on up the hill and bowled some proper deliveries, although the class of the batsmen meant they got after him at times.  It was evident in the field that the Wanderers were struggling somewhat.  With Tom, Tommy and Simon T patrolling boundaries and scurrying around to prevent twos it looked impressive.  However, with Mike H immobile at gulley, Simon limping around with a dodgy knee, David with an injured hip (and a huge egg on his shin) – at one point it was left to Bob to chase the ball to the boundary and preventing the 4th run!  With Jay coming back onto bowl uphill this time he got a wicket (after the 2 retirements when they reached 50) with Tommy taking another catch.  With PW coming on anything was possible and sure enough he did not disappoint!  With 2 enormous wides to start he then got his first wicket with the batsman driving to mid-off to find Simon with a diving catch.  Tommy took a good catch at cow-corner and then Simon took a skyer at long-on.  PW’s last wicket was another drive – this time missed with Mike W taking the stumping.  A stunning spell (5-0-22-4) that helped to restrict the score to 268-7 (+2 retired).

Tommy and Tom started the Wanderers’ reply, and although the scoring rate was comparatively low, the two looked comfortable.  It was therefore disappointing when Tommy (16) was bowled just as the innings was progressing.  Simon T looked sharp and a crucial partnership developed.  Tom hit 3 sixes in one over as the run rate picked up with boundaries both sides of the wicket.  Tom (52) was caught the ball after his fifty, with some noises about  retiring in the field still in the air.  Simon survived being bowled off a no-ball in his first over only to see Simon T bowled shortly afterwards and all realistic optimism about winning with him.  Simon was starting to fire nicely with Jay at the other end rotating the strike well.  Having fended off an excellent bouncer Simon offered a chance to the keeper (exceptionally tricky) and to extra-cover (exceptionally easy) that were both put down.  Simon was also dropped at cow-corner all off the unfortunate left-handed spinner who endured some big boundaries from Simon.  Jay (9) was caught and David was desperately unlucky to be run-out with a direct hit.  Simon (61) was eventually stumped  to leave the Wanderers 238-6 with only a few overs left.  Stuart was bowled soon afterwards with Bob and Mike W left to see out the innings.  A valiant effort from all concerned to get within 24 of the total.  It was then left to Simon and Tommy to push Simon T’s car to the pub (where it started first time when the mechanic arrived) that closed at 8pm on a Saturday night!

MOM: PW 4-22 – an unbelievable return

Catch of the day: Tom – the crucial first wicket

Quote of the day: Shall we have another beer?