Falkland [A] Match Report
We opened the bowling with a series of nail biting overs from Jeremy, chances came and went begging. Being in it for the wickets I tried everything to get those openers out at the other end but to no avail.
We pushed on and Will pitched one perfectly for the batman to air one agonisingly close over my outstretched arms at mid-wicket. Sean bowled some tight overs at the other end and got his reward with a wicket in his first spell.
Si came on and bowled some great stuff which kept the batsmen on their toes... and bowled exceptionally well even after his arm reached the dreaded pain barrier. Paddy at the other end kept them guessing and took two important wickets to help bring the run rate right down during a great spell... it could have been three if the caught-bowled opportunity had converted (it would have been a great take).
We regrouped with drinks at 20 overs and returned with some great spells from Rich and Jeremy again at one end and Sean getting a pair with a couple of jaffas at the other. We crowded the incoming batsmen on the hat trick ball, but today wasn't the day. Nevertheless a great spell with some beautiful football inspired fielding mixed in too.
A retired batsman made way for a big hitter, who took a few runs in the last couple of overs, but for each mistake in the field today there were probably two great moments of fielding in return. Dobbo, on return was excellent in the field and Mike was like a breeze block wall. Their score of 239 was good, but on that wicket and with 40 overs, one we could chase.
On the whole, their bowling was solid and they took consistent wickets throughout the overs. Rich knocked a solid half century despite carrying an injury and Jeremy and Will pulled us right back in the fixture, forcing runs and digging out boundaries at almost every half chance, getting the run rate up to 10 an over... you could sense the tension amongst the opposition. Jeremy's 40+ and Will's 30 in a solid partnership very nearly got us the win. In the mix, if Chris's solid start wasn't brought to a premature end by a dubious lbw decision (it was definitely high) it may well have been a different result.
Nevertheless a great day in the sunshine at a beautiful ground with a great pitch-side pub for enjoying a pint and the evening sun... already looking forward to this fixture next season.
(Commentary above may not be accurate, take it with a pinch of salt).
Bring on next weekend against Beehive.
