Firstly, allow me to apologise for the tardiness in sending this report... gremlins out in force in SW11 last week.
So it was off to the Kent/Sussex border for our annual trip to Groombridge. The prospects of play weren't looking great as we navigated our way through some filthy weather through South London and Surrey, but phone calls to the opposition and The DoC - "It's sunny in Maidstone!" - assured us of better things. These looked optimistic assurances though, as two miles outside Groombridge it was still bucketing down, and indeed, upon arrival there was drizzle in the air with some ominous looking black clouds headed our way. After much umming and aahing and after the rains passed, it was agreed that a 30-over match would be the order of the day, and having won the toss Tony decided to have a bowl.
Bradley and Larry opened the bowling for Beechwood and both were on the spot from the off. Opening bat Spence was keen to open his shoulders at every opportunity, but partner Smith was less assertive and soon perished to Larry with the score having reached 15; Adrian pouching well. A mini revival was effected by the second-wicket pair and after 13 or so overs Groombridge looked to be getting out of sight, especially after Brad's last and my first overs went the distance.
Stuart got into the groove quickly and bowled some tight overs and yours truly followed suit best I could (although Spence still found time to launch me into the railway station) but the turning point came in the shape of a run-out; non-striker Spence backing up too far and an alert Keith behind the stumps swooped to effect a direct hit. 89-2 still looked a healthy position for Groombridge in such a shortened game, but when Fasey hit me straight up in the air for Colin to watch all the way into his hands, Beechwood sensed they were back in the game. I wouldn't quite say that it became processional after that but in no time at all 90-3 became 98-9 with Stuart bagging four along the way including a couple that sent the timbers cartwheeling, and Woody, who "retired" after one over which yielded two wickets, doing the damage. The DoC and Ian were introduced, and with Groombridge staring down the barrel, skipper Izzard launched a counter-attack, dealing the luckless Ian a few hefty blows before, having survived until the last over, he too perished to another direct hit from KHM. Groombridge were bowled out for 120, a score which Beechwood would have gladly settled for from the start and would have bitten the proverbial arm off for at one stage, but it still needed us to bury the memories of some of our recent batting displays in order to overhaul their total in thirty overs.
After tea, Beechwood set about their run chase, with Adrian getting the nod to open with Tony (a position he has excelled in when asked to do so this season) and after a slowish start with some tight bowling being served up, especially by Stephenson, Beechwood got to grips with the conditions and even the dangerous looking Patel was being put to the boundary.
Of course, along the way, there were a few streaky runs which unsurprisingly riled the fielders somewhat, but this was nothing compared to their response to Stuart's vocal "encouragement" which seemed to cause them to take their eye off the ball a little. Whatever, the runs kept coming, the wickets didn't fall, both batsmen passed their half-centuries, and Beechwood sailed over the line for a historic win. We were joined in our celebrations in the changing-room by some of the hornets which were nesting outside which caused a few jitters; not to mention the demise of said unfortunate hornets, but even such risky fauna couldn't dampen the celebrations of a great performance.
Great to see Matthew out and helping us out with the umpiring, plus it was also great to see Rob coming along to a game with his family. Sad to see Colin's in-laws headed back home after the game with "Ray The Numbers" being particularly missed already and let us all hope that they return next year, but this time for a longer visit. Keep dry now!
Beechwood:
Boss, Cooksley, Culhane, Freeman (c), Hill, Makin (wk), McCrea, Robinson, Savory, Warner, Woodward
Final words from the DoC:
Back in the swing, a ring-a-ding-ding. |
