Savors the Day
I was going to write a match report on Beechwood’s dramatic last ball victory over Horsmonden but looking at the website Steve has admirably written a brief résumé that just about sums up the day!
However, from an alternative point of view, here goes.
New Club Member Rob Pogose had his official debut for the team (not including guest appearances) and was given the new ball after Beechwood were asked to take to the field in a 40 over match starting at 2.30pm; rather late but, with the summer nights now getting longer and the sun shining we went off into the field with 9. Hamish and Scott arrived an over later with the latter allowing Woody to withdraw to the field rather than strain those aging bones!
The Horsmonden opener Moran (48) came to the crease without wearing any Batting Gloves, not a sensible method of batting but this did not bother him and, along with Davies (47) a steady opening partnership ensued. Whilst both Pogose and Garnett bowled well they were not able to make a breakthrough.
Enter Stuart Boss. Stuart bowled superbly taking the wicket of Davies caught at Long On in his first over whilst, at the same time, keeping a decent hold on the flow of runs. From here on in wickets fell at a regular pace and a wicket seemed to fall each time Horsmonden were looking like upping the anti. Stuart finished his 9 overs with 2 for 39 and then, with Ian replacing him, off his first ball, Stuart took a magnificent catch at Long On, Man of the Match I was thinking! However, Ian went on to take a five wicket haul for only 27 runs, good to see him back amongst the wickets.
From the far end, Steve came on and then departed in favour of Savors, however, after only one over bowled, Chris had to leave the field and go off to hospital after cutting the webbing to his hand whilst attempting to take another catch this season! Superb fielding by Chris but each and every chance he has had to take a catch this season has been difficult so that was that; we would, however, see him later!
Hamish took over from Chris and immediately took the wicket of Geraty (39) to ensure that the run rate was being stemmed by the continual fall of wickets, Hamish finished with 3 wickets and Horsmonden were bowled out in the 40th over for 186.
After tea, yours truly was out in the first over leaving Beechwood 6 for 1. Both Woody and Rob got on with things and kept a pretty good run rate going until Woody was out when we had 51 on the board. Hammy came in at 4 and severely punished the short balls with some exquisite cuts but, after the spinners came on Rob struggled to get the ball away and was adjudged LBW by Jim after contributing a fine 27. Colin came in and caused havoc for a short while and was then followed by Scott, in both directions! The DoC came in as runs had completely dried up and Horsmonden were pretty much on top. However, both Hammy & Steve got the scoreboard moving again and a decent partnership of 47 got us back on track. With Steve out for 15, Ian came in and continued to maintain the tempo; Hammy reached his 50 but, fairly soon after he was bowled for 57 off the bowling of Stibbs who’s figures of 2 for 18 off 8 overs were superb. Both Warner 2 for 55 and Walford 3 for 30 were the other main wicket takers for Horsmonden.
Things were now getting close and wickets were still falling and Chris was still in Hospital or, on his way back, so we heard. Colin was pacing about muttering away that he was sure that the Savory would be needed to bat! Anyway, Boris came in and held an end up whilst Ian nudged, cut and pulled his way to 21 before being adjudged LBW in the penultimate over!
Stuart and Boris had to now finish the game although the sound of a car entering the car park to the ground let Colin off his leash who rushed up to the returning Lyn and Tina (who had kindly taken Chris to the Hospital) and told Chris to ‘pad up’ before he had even got out of the car!
At the same time, Stuart had pulled a muscle and required a ‘runner’ so off Ian went to complete the task. Shortly after a ‘run out’ occurred but who was out and who was to take strike of the last ball? With the scores currently tied and Savors, being the hero of the hour, striding out to the wicket, both umpires were trying to sort out who was ‘In’ and who was ‘Out’!
It was Boris who was given out and Stuart told to face the last ball; thankfully Savors did not have to face a ball; all he had to do was just run.
The field was set, the time was 8.15pm, and Stuart got bat on ball towards mid-off, both Chris and Ian ran and Keith quickly got into position for the ‘run out’, the bails were taken off and an appeal was made for Ian being ‘run out’ but where was Ian? Keith had seen no sight of him and could not judge whether he made his ground or not; Ian had been wide of the wicket due to acting as a ‘Runner’ and ran the other side of Keith!!! Confusion, mayhem, everything; the Horsmonden players were sure that Ian had been ‘run out’ and were appealing in vain to Keith who could not possibly give a decision when there was nothing for him to judge! From the boundary it looked to be a close run thing between Ian being in or out so, with the decision going in Ian’s favour we had won!
Understandably, Horsmonden were initially upset with the decision and, perhaps a tie would have been fitting after an excellent game of cricket but, upon reflection, a great game of cricket was had and the winning and losing of the game became secondary.
Beechwood:
Boss, Cooksley, Freeman (c), Garnett, McCrea, McLachlan, Morton (wk), Pogose, Robinson, Savory, Woodward
Final words from the DoC:
Without our "big-hitting" batsmen the target seemed to be way beyond our reach, but cometh the hour, a great team effort got us home in remarkable circumstances. |
