Kenn CC vs. Bridestowe CC - 10/05/14

After a convincing win last week we were on the road for our first away fixture at Kenn, a ground that didn't treat us well last season. There were a handful of changes with Tom Fog as well as Sam and James Ewen heading back to uni. Callum Mallet, Phil Hatton and Alex Jopling came in respectively and club veteran Chris Lavis also dug his kit out of the attic!

We arrived at Kenn to a damp outfield and a wicket that looked like it had had little pre-season work. Butler won the toss for the second week in a row and understandably put Kenn in on the green wicket, hoping for some sun and improvement later in the day. Dan Fog (8-1-24-3) opened up and immediately struck with the last ball of his first over, Chandler clipping the ball straight to Cal Mal who took a safe catch at square leg. Lavis (7-2-26-0) took the ball at the other end, he began bowling a great length as always, conceding just one run form his first 3 overs. It was not easy for either bowler though, with Dan having to run in down the slope and Lavis having to deal with a ridge that made Bridestowe look as flat as lords. Dan finished his spell in style though, luring Koeller to edge one that was gratefully snuffled my Mark Fog behind the sticks. Alex Jopling (5-26-0), sporting a questionable new hair colour (courtesy of uni cricket tour!), and Lee Jutson (9-1-25-1) were the second change bowlers. They both began fairly economically but opener Brag, now partnered by Muir, began to pick the the short boundary. Jutson did get the breakthrough though, thanks to a some good tactics and exceptional fielding from the skipper Butler. He moved himself to sill mid-off and a couple of balls later Brag (36) struck a short ball with considerable power, but not enough as Butler stuck out a right hand to pluck a fine catch. Jopling began to leak boundaries, through bowling too full but also due to the suspect off-side outfield. At drinks Kenn were 84-3 and due to the conditions were the slightly happier side. Barry Down (6-25-2), coming off 6 wickets last week, replaced Jopling and after a loosener first up, took a wicket, Mason (26) once again trying to clear the boundary but being well caught by Jopling running in from the fence. Cal Mal (6-37-2) took over from Jutson just as the batsmen were beginning to open up. With Muir reaching 50 and the game beginning to go away from us Down picked up another wicket before Cal took the all important wicket of Muir (53), getting the ball to move and clean bowling him. With wickets in hand Wills (27) began to swing his arms and find the boundary. This did eventually prove his downfall with Dan Fog taking a good catch on the mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Cal. The damage had been done though, as we now aimed to keep Kenn under 200. Neil Griffiths (4-24-0) came on to try and reduce the rate, however he struggled to find his rhythm and couldn't manage to bowl his usual tight areas. Dan Fog came back on for the last over and bowled tightly, managing to keep Kenn under 200 and picking up a wicket with his last ball, a sharp stumping by Mark, also giving us an extra bowling point. The target was 193, 30 or 40 more than it should have been, punishment for us switching off in the last 10 overs.

Mark and Barry took to the crease to start the chase. They began conservatively, respecting the good lengths bowled by the slow opening bowlers Parsons (9-4-21-2) and Clay (9-2-28-1). The spin of Parsons produced a run of maidens before Barry began to open up, finding the boundary through a couple of fours and a big six. This thankfully increased the rate but Barry (22) perhaps went for one shot too many and was caught off the bowling of Parsons. The consensus in the pavilion was to send in Butler at 3 to have a go at the pedestrian bowling. This looked like a wise decision as he clubbed a big six. it was short-lived though as he was cleaned up by the bowling of Mason (8.1-3-15-3). Mark Fog (19) followed in similar fashion to Barry, also caught of Parsons. This triggered a horrible middle order collapse with first Pat Ewen, then Phil Hatton, bizarrely run-out/stumped, and Neil all falling for ducks. Lavis and Jopling were now at the crease and momentarily steadied the ship before Lavis was caught behind off Chislett (5-2-29-2). Dan joined Jopling, as the pair aimed to bat for as long as possible. They both managed to get themselves in and pick off the loose balls, hitting Chislett out of the attack with two fours and two sixes. The change in bowling and increase in pace on the ball proved Jopling's downfall though, edging a pull to be caught on the boundary for 23. Dan continued to knock the ball around but any chance of a win was out of the window, with new bat Jutson, picking up the willow for the first time since August, looking understandably scratchy. Batting points were now the aim and after Dan was bowled by Mason, getting 100 was vital. Jutson thankfully managed to take us over the line for the batting point before also being bowled by Mason.

100 all out then, a disappointing result due to a combination of loose bowling, switching off in the field and reckless batting. Much to work on for next week then, an away trip to Kentisbeare.