Another win at Cudham Wyse

REPORT BY DAN SKINNER

Competitive matches resumed for the 2s with a trip to play Cudham Wyse 3s at yet another venue.

Helen, our excellent scorer, was seen shortly before the game desperately trying to gain entry into a local pub.  Rehydrating before a long afternoon we thought.  She claimed she was merely seeking directions and to be fair the ground was not easy to find.

The pitch looked dry and a little small. Naturally, as it was a league game, skipper Tim Croom lost the toss but was delighted to be asked to bat.

Croom and Martin Daly opened the batting.  The skipper having hit an early boundary tried an extravagant pull of a ball that was just a bit too full and he was bowled in the first over for 4.

Dan Skinner went out at 3. After his runs last week he looked in good nick and hit two early fours.  He then got a short ball from the opener that pitched half way down the track, did not bounce, decpaitating an inquisitive worm before hitting the base of the stumps. Skinner gone, looking grumpy for 8.

Jack Feehan came in next and hit a glorious 6 over mid on before playing a horrible slog and getting out lbw for 7 to the next delivery.

Suddenly we were 40 for 3.  Fortunately Daly was timing the ball well and he was joined by the reliable Steve Horrocks. The pair put on 68 in good time before Horrocks found the square leg fielder with remarkable precision and was out for 34.

During this period one of the opposition bowlers took offence at Skinner’s umpiring and calling of leg side wides.  He asked to be taken off, only to reappear later at the other end.  Feehan, who was umpiring there, promptly called him for several leg side wides.

Mike Redman came to the fray and looked good including a hook for 6 which had something to do with self preservation.

Daly, realising he was approaching a half century decided to miss a slow straight one and was bowled for 47. It should be noted he has form for jug avoidance and it is to be hoped that the club committee will discuss such behaviour at their next meeting.

John Haggart hit some fine blows before completely misjudging the line of a ball and being bowled 16.  Ian Gutteridge came and went for 10 before Lee Harris was bowled for a golden duck.

That left young Harry Slevin and the returning Dave Vant.  Fortunately one of them was experienced enough to know what to do.  Yes, Slevin played the role of senior pro hitting an excellent 27 before being last man out. With a generous helping of extras we had reached 234 despite only using up 36 overs.

Highlight of the innings was undoubtedly though a conversation on the boundary when a cyclist in Lycra rode across the ground and greeted our supporters.  Jack Feehan spoke thus:-
“Is that Dave Vant?”
“We hope not”, came the reply, “he is batting”
“Who is it then?”
“It’s Gareth Oakland” he was told.
“Gareth.  How did he get here?”
 
After tea, Feehan (7-2-16-3) and Slevin (6.2-0-21-3) opened the bowling well.  Feehan getting the dangerous opener out with one that jagged back off a perfect length.  Slevin upset his keeper by regularly moving the ball all over the place including on one occasion in both directions.

The fielding was remarkably competent on a hard outfield.  Croom and Daly both taking two catches.  Even stand in keeper Skinner looked vaguely tidy.

Redman (4-1-20-2) opened with a wicket maiden and looked tidy.  Vant bowled two tidy overs for only 5 runs but said to the skipper he struggles to get it up these days after his accident and asked to be pulled off.

Gutteridge (3-1-2-0) seemed too good for the batsmen and was unlucky not to get a wicket.   Lee Harris (4-0-13-1) bowled a steady line and got a good wicket.  Horrocks (3-0-10-0) was as economical as ever.

There was minor controversy when Feehan found himself fielding at a wide slip with the keeper standing up. A thin edge was flying down the first slip line when he foolishly threw himself full length to his left and managed to get a hand to the ball with a magnificent dive.  Sadly it did not stick.  There can be no criticism of a truly athletic effort but the controversy arises because of Feehan’s wide and lengthy previous pronouncement that he had never dropped a catch for the club.  Indeed he had christened himself “Mr 100%”.  Readers are invited to decide if they agree with the young lad that it could not possibly count as a drop.

Slevin returned to tidy up the tail and we had bowled the opposition out for 93. The win sees the 2s stay top of the table. The visit of Marden awaits next Saturday.