IBMSHCC vs West Meon
Sorry to ruin the surprise, but in a major shock to the system, we didn't lose yesterday!! In fact, we were very close to getting a win!
Following the rain overnight and early on Sunday morning, I awoke with the expectation of receiving a call to say that the game was off. But, much to my surprise, I got the call to say it was a little damp but playable.
On arrival, our opposition were lauding it up at a VIP lunch in their clubhouse, so we waited around and got the game underway. In that time, we inspected the pitch and found it to be rather soft and I was advised by all that should I win the toss, we should bat first.
Now, this is not something I would normally do as our batting has failed more often than not this season. However, I could see the reasons for the advice ... the pitch would cut up something chronic and batting 2nd wouldn't be advisable.
So, amazingly, I won the toss and made the decision to bat first. Craig Robson and Nick Wells opened the batting and it was slow progress, with Craig falling for just 1 after 18 balls. Cue me going into bat, I faced the first few balls and all was well and then I faced the bowling from the other end and I decided to leave the ball, only to hear the clatter of ash behind me :( I was bowled for a duck ... I trudged back to the clubhouse and spent the next 15 mins trying to work out what went wrong! I figured it out to be the return of a problem where I am leaning over too much and as a result, my head isn't over off stump, it's outside it and therefore I misjudged the line!!
Anyways ... I was out and pissed off. Ray was in after me and doing well, with a much more upright stance and he got a few runs before being bowled. Trev was out next and he and Nick put on a partnership of 67, before Trev was out on 29, also bowled. A good knock though, so all is good. Michael Wells was in next and he and his dad shared a nice partnership, during which (I think) Nick got to 50 before Michael was out stumped.
Tom was in next and he was chugging along nicely, knocking the singles and then Nick, still on 50 was bowled by an absolutely shooter! Still, a very nice innings.
Mark, Graham, Taddy and Matt all went in with Tom and then came back quite quickly, however, in that time, we managed to get to 137 before all 10 wickets were lost.
After a nice but small tea, we went out to field. All a bit confusing as their opener had a runner!! Tom and Graham opened the bowling and bowled very well, Tom grabbing the first wicket with a regulated catch behind off an edge.
This brought their main man to the crease and he and the opener shared a steady partnership ... one that we didn't really look like breaking. Whilst their number 3 wasn't scoring fast, he also didn't look in too much trouble ... that was until he hit one to point and Craig leapt, salmon like, into the air and plucked out a catch one handed!!
From that moment onwards, the runs dried up and wickets fell at regular intervals ... Tom took a 3rd and we had 2 run outs and then Matt weighed in with one of his own, also via a stunning catch, but this time by Michael Wells at gully.
Taddy, brought on to replace Tom when they were on 38-6, also took a wicket via another Michael at gully and they were 7 down with around 40 on the board.
However, the batsman at the crease were now blocking for England and nowt much was happening. I came on to bowl and wasn't having much luck. That was until Tom, via Matt, pointed out that I wasn't following through with my bowling. Next ball, I tried to do so and finally got one straight and clean bowled the batsman!
Tom came on at the other end and also took a wicket to leave them 9 down with only about 50 on the board. There were about 6 overs to go and neither I nor Tom could break the resistance and even a final over from Graham failed to find that elusive wicket and they finished on 52 (i think) for 9.
So, as it was a timed game, it was a draw ... you could argue a "winning draw" but we don't do that kinda thing, so it's a draw. Nice to not lose I guess, but frustrating that we couldn't find that last wicket. Well done to West Meon for sticking it out for so long.
Not a great day for my stats though ... my batting average is getting lower and lower, although at 37 it's still quite healthy. I hope to get back on track in the coming weeks, weather permitting.