Thornford 19/09/21

After Plush inexplicably pulled out of the arranged fixture, a match at Thornford was arranged.  After a splendid lunch in the King’s Arms, the toss was lost and the Wanderers were in the field again.  Skipper was back behind the stumps and the opening attack was Ali (remember Ali from early season before he arranged to play for the hospital every Sunday!) and Pete.  Both struggled to find their normal consistency and the hosts were 34-0 from 6 overs.  It was Ben with the breakthrough with a catch from Will to end a promising opening stand of 45 in 9 overs.  Will came on up the hill and although he went for 3 fours in his first over, he got his man next over when Conrad took a catch at gulley.  It was Will who was forcing the issue with the ball skidding through on the plastic surface, and one short delivery accounted for the home skipper when an attempted pull was top edged to PW at mid-wicket.  A collective holding of breath ensued for what seemed to be forever before PW calmly took the catch with aplomb.  At 84-3 in the 14th over, anything seemed possible, but Thornford had the ringers at the crease who bashed Conrad out of the attack.  Fortunately, Paul Foster was able to reign them in somewhat before he too was hit heavily.  Leo was hit into the next field and some comments were made to reign in such hitting against an 11 year old, with the run rate already over 8 an over!  David broke the partnership when Pete held onto a chance over his head and then Paul got his deserved wicket with an LBW.  There was still time for another batsman to take a liking to PW before he got his man with a flighted delivery that enticed the batsman to skip down the wicket, only to miss it and Skipper to take off the bails.

A delightful tea was served in the clubhouse before the Wanderers’ reply was started by Conrad and Pete.  Pete was looking solid until he was bowled for no score and the same fate awaited Ben (still to score with the new bat!).  Skipper too his time to get settled (1 from first 9 balls) then 16 from 5 balls followed.  This included a six off the first change bowler which brought about comments from the fielders like “it’s one rule for us and one for them” because the bowler was a youngster.  However, the innings situation was completely different with the Wanderers 22-2 from 8 overs chasing 238 to win in 35 overs!  Conrad was bowled by the next young bowler and Skipper holed out in the same over, effectively ending any slim hopes of a successful chase.  However, Will had other ideas and set about forming an innings for himself with Mike M at the other end.  This partnership had put on 67 when Mike was caught, which brought Paul to partner his son.  Paul was solid while Will crashed some boundaries, including a six over mid-wicket.  Will (52) was bowled shortly after passing his 50 and Paul was bowled next over.  With Leo caught with the score still stuck on 147 it seemed that Thornford were set upon winning by as much as possible.  PW (15no) had other ideas and smashed 3 fours to mid-wicket.  Ali (9) also hit some quick-fire runs before he was bowled and David (2) was last man out.  181 all out in 34 overs.

MOM: Will

Catch of the day: PW

Quote of the day: “Is Pete known as Fos 1,2,3,4 or 5?” Consensus is 5.