President's Day

Post date: Jul 3, 2012 4:20:19 PM

Although the weather did its best to put us off, President’s Day proved a success with a good turnout and an enthralling game too. The Presidents team of the 3 Ewens (the fourth needs to sort his priorities out!), 3 Fogertys, Phil D and Brandon lost the toss and with Lee skippering Bridestowe were, of course, put in to bat.

With 8 players on each side, a 35 over game was agreed, with a compulsory 5 overs from each bowler. Jacko and Lavis opened up the bowling at James and Sam. The two brothers started well, picking the gaps and putting away the bad balls. Jacko was bowling with pace down the hill and should have had Sam caught at cover, a drop by Jopling that he is still regretting. James was out however after trying to up the pace but, being through the shot too early, he was caught by Lee off Lavis for 18. Having reached 25, Sam then retired, leaving Charlie and Tom at the crease. Still feeling the effects of the night before, Butler then bowled a quick 3 overs off about two steps. Steve B then bowled a great spell of spin; he was well supported by Phil H at the other end and also in the field, where he caught both Charlie and Phil D. This helped Steve to finish with figures of 2-27. Tom then retired after passing 25 in an innings full of glances and pushes. Following a typical tight spell from skipper Lee, Butler returned with Jopling coming on for the last five overs at the grandstand end. They say bad balls get wickets and Mark Fog was the victim this time, a short ball from Jopling being dragged to mid wicket. Dan Fog and Brandon then had a good partnership before the latter was caught by Phil off Jopling (2-20). Sam then returned to the crease and got the Presidents over the 150 mark. However a quicker ball from Butler eventually proved too much for him, bowled trying to turn the ball to leg for 36. Tom ’Boycott’ Fog (29) was the last man back and he and Dan (19) got the score up to 161 before Dan was bowled around his legs by Butler (2-21) 2 overs from the end.

After undoubtedly the best tea of the season, the teams were back out again with the opening pair of Phil and Jopling aiming to make a solid start in chasing 161. Sam may count himself unlucky in the first over with Jopling edging one for four and then just managing to keep out a ball that didn’t get up. Dan opened from the other end and immediately struck, Phil missing a ball down leg and the bails being whipped off by Mark in the blink of an eye. Dan then did for Jopling with a well executed slower ball that clean bowled him for 17. Butler and Steve then had a solid partnership as Mark rotated the bowling. They both fell in quick succession, with Steve (20) being particularly unlucky to slip and be run out. Jacko and Ian were now at the crease and they saw off the dangerous bowling of Dan (3-17) before Jacko dispatched James with ease. He reached his 25 in no time and was back in the club house with Lavis taking over from him. Ian and Lavis kept the runs ticking over whilst Tom, Phil and James all bowled well. Bridestowe were now looking comfortable and Ian also had to retire. Lee came to the crease and the Presidents as well as half of the grandstand felt sure Sam had trapped him in front, but umpire Hatton deemed it to be sliding down the leg side. An interesting period followed with Bridestowe needing just under 50 in 12 overs and with Lavis and Jutson falling to James and Phil the match was on a knife edge. Jacko and Ian returned to the crease and after some solid hitting the overs were no longer an issue. With the asking rate at now only 2 an over Mark summoned back Sam and Tom into the attack in an attempt to get the final wicket. However there was no luck for the fielding side as difficult catches were put down or fell agonisingly short. Jacko continued to dispatch the bad balls and deservedly hit the winning runs up and over the ring to finish with a match winning 65no, with Ian at the other end with a solid 26no.

All in all a very enjoyable President’s Day that provided a great game of cricket and maintained a good crowd despite the unpredictable weather. Thank you to everyone who organised, played, watched and contributed to the day!