Beechwood won the toss and elected to bat. The pitch looked dry and uneven and one suspected the bounce would be variable.
Woodward and Salmon opened the batting and kept the scoreboard ticking over ably assisted by 'extras' which quickly established itself as top scorer. The bounce had already shown itself to be uneven when Woodward decided he felt peckish and attempted a risky sweep shot. He only succeeded in edging it into his chin and with claret all over the place he retired hurt. Warner replaced him at the crease and began with a boundary.
Beechwood were going alone nicely with Warner punishing the short ball when Salmon committed Hari Kari failing to get back in his crease after Warner had sent him back. Kelly came in and was undone by the bounce getting a delivery that got big on him. He was followed by Hill who flew out of the blocks hitting a six and a four before he played much too early at a short ball and was bowled.
Whilst this was going on Warner was continuing to build his innings patiently, always looking for the loose ball. He received a juicy half volley from the opposition skipper which he climbed into but unfortunately both ball and skipper were running down the same corridor. This resulted in the skipper having to leave the field with a suspected broken hand. Beechwood wish him a speedy recovery.
Warner was joined by Herd who started positively but was soon caught at mid wicket. Warner was finally out for 41, caught attempting another pull shot. |
Beechwood were going along nicely but were in danger being bowled out without using their allotted two and a half hours. Robinson and Cowell were now at the crease but Robinson was caught attempting the shovel. Cowell was batting well and striking the ball very cleanly but unfortunately the tail did not wag and he was stranded on 25 not out as Beechwood were dismissed for 146.
Woodward and Hill opened the bowling for Beechwood and Brasted began nervously having seen at close quarters what the pitch could be like. Woodward quickly removed both openers, the first caught by wicket keeper Morton. The second was caught by Warner at short mid wicket after Woodward had softened the batsman up with a vicious delivery that leapt from just short of a length.
Cowell came on and was straight on the mark, giving very little away. He soon picked up a wicket courtesy of a catch behind. Boss joined the attack and quickly threw his toys out of his pram after being punished for dropping short. Wickets were still falling regularly and Woodward decided to introduce Cooksley after a fine spell from eventual man-of-the-match Cowell (2 for 11).
Questions were raised about the wisdom of having two spinners on at the same time with only a moderate total to defend but Woodward remained calm and 'did it his way'. It's useful to have more than one leader on the pitch but there should only ever be one captain. Boss and Woodward picked up the remaining wickets finishing with figures of 3 for 55 and 4 for 14 respectively. Brasted were bowled out for 112 and Beechwood were back on the winning track. |
