Thornford 27/5/18

A splendid lunch was had in the Kings Arms for those who made it (Mike H was so late that the game had to be delayed awaiting his arrival with the kit bag).  Our hosts elected to bat on the suspiciously damp looking artificial track at Thornford.  Will F (2-18) opened the bowling down the hill with David (1-19) coming in up the hill.  Both were accurate and difficult to get away and it was this pressure that bore fruits when the opening bat slashed at one of Will’s deliveries outside off-stump to give Peter a comfortable catch in the covers (his second time of catching this man this weekend).  Will had the other opener next over when Bob took a smart catch at slip when it looked like taking his head off!  Next over David bowled the new batsman for no score with a slightly lofted delivery at a perfect length – in fact, possibly David’s best spell of variation bowling to keep the batsmen guessing.  Paul replaced his son and was hit out of the ground only for Tom to take the catch to dismiss him next ball on the boundary!  Tom took another catch next ball to leave Paul on a hattrick (and Tom on a hattrick of catches)!  A lame delivery followed :(   Luke (3-27) began his spell with a wicket-maiden to leave Thornford on 32-7 from 15 overs.  A great 8th wicket partnership worth 92 brought the hosts right back into the game and leaving PW worse for wear after trying to straddle the fence after retrieving the ball!  This was eventually broken by Paul (4-17) with Simon scampering behind him to take a swirling high catch.  Before this controversy occurred.  Steve was batting excellently when he thought he had edged to Simon.  Bob was also convinced but Simon called him back.  He then proceeded to scamper down the wicket and slipped on the wet patch and was run out.  However, he was recalled again.  All out for 126 was a very creditable fight back and would require some concentration to get.

After a delightful tea David and Peter got the Wanderers underway and Peter (16) seemed to be in a hurry.  Tom (52) was able to dispatch some cafeteria offerings before retiring amid some unpleasant scenes from the wicket-keeper that are best left out of friendly cricket.  Will (8) played well and Luke was unlucky to be LBW without score again.  With Pete (2) also LBW it was left to Mike H (3no) again to score the winning runs with only Bob left in the pavilion.

MOM: Paul

Catch of the day:  Tom – on the boundary (although there were several excellent catches on the day)

Quote of the day:   “This lot don’t know how to play friendly cricket” from the wicket keeper about the Wanderers!  How ironic!!!