The pitch again looked slightly green but slow and conditions were beautiful. Beechwood won the toss and elected to field. This was a timed match.
Valentine and Cowell opened the bowling and both began well, although Groombridge managed to score 18 from the first 4 overs. Cowell then started to find some swing and Valentine started moving the ball both ways off the seam. Cowell made the breakthrough fairly early on, bowling Smith (C) round his legs. This was followed by a cracking delivery that bowled Scobal 'Neck and Crop'. Cowell was now bowling beautifully, although it has to be said Valentine was bowling just as well, but got scant reward as both Salmon and Cooksley but down fairly straight forward chances.
Cowell removed Smith (G), Freeman taking the catch at first slip with Morton in close attendance. Cowell then worked his magic again as he persuaded Umpire French to do the unthinkable and give an LBW; Kelly the victim. Groombridge had now slipped to 38 for 4. Savory replaced Cowell after a wonderful spell of 7 overs, 4 wickets for 11 runs and soon accounted for Jenkins, Kelly taking a comfortable catch at mid off. Woodward replaced the luckless Valentine and removed the dangerous Piper with the obligatory full toss providing a caught and bowled opportunity.
Freeman then gave Bayley a life, dropping an absolute 'dolly' off Savory that would have been funny but for the fact that Freeman broke his finger in the process - we wish him a speedy recovery, particularly as he has been in great form with the bat. Kelly made up for the drop by catching Bayley soon after again at mid off, taking the catch under the armpit and damaging his ribs again. Woodward bowled Patel and Groombridge were now 66 for 8 and they were soon 67 for 9 as Woodward accounted for Slade, clean bowling him. |
Captain Woodward then took drastic measures, press ganging Warner into the attack and a 15 ball over from him added 12 to the Groombridge total. Woodward himself then dropped an even bigger 'dolly' off Cooksley and this one was very funny as no one was injured! Savory wrapped the innings up by having Smith (J) caught by Salmon at mid wicket and Groombridge finished 86 all out.
In the absence of Freeman, Kelly and Salmon opened the batting for Beechwood and both found scoring difficult on the pitch. Kelly was soon undone by the slow pace of Smith (J) and was bowled. Warner came in but Salmon didn't keep him company for long as he was also bowled by Smith (J).
Morton arrived and together with Warner they started to move the score along. Warner was able to feast on a loose over from Smith (C) and deposited 2 sixes, the second of which Colin Robinson only just managed to fend off his good lady's head - sorry Tina! Morton finally succumbed to his favourite shovel shot across the line and was bowled by Smith (J).
Valentine came in but it wasn't long before Warner was undone by the slow pitch and was bowled by Piper. All of a sudden Beechwood 's innings was starting to resemble England 's in the Test Match but there was no need to worry as Valentine and Wooward steadied the ship and saw Beechwood home by 6 wickets. Valentine in particular playing very sensibly. This match was won by Beechwood 's bowling but it could easily have been lost by their catching. Still there was plenty off money in the bar as a result of the fines. Has Tony paid his 50p yet?
Beechwood XI:
Cooksley, Cowell, Freeman, Kelly, Morton, Robinson, Salmon, Savory, Valentine, Warner, Woodward (c)
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