Whimple CC vs. Bridestowe CC

After a disappointing loss last week we were on the road looking to make amends against an in-form Whimple. Both Hattons, Boother and Barry Down returned to the side. On arrival it was clear there had been some considerable rain in the week as the pitch was what you could only describe as a bit of a pudding.

Unfortunately Butler lost the toss and once again we were stuck in to bat. Like last week we got off to a bad start, Sam miss-timed a full toss from Richards and to his frustration served up a simple catch to mid-on. An over later and Tom Fog was also on his way back to the pavilion, trapped in-front by Hatherway and given LBW. Jacko now joined Jopling who hit Richards down the ground for consecutive 4s to ease the pressure. The ball was doing all sorts off the pitch with balls popping, slowing up and keeping low. Before long Richards also dismissed Jacko, he tried to cut a ball outside off but could only get an edge that hit the keepers gloves before being brilliantly caught by Lennox at slip. Two balls later and Phil Hatton was gone in exactly the same way and we were 19-4. James took to the crease and attempted to rebuild with Jopling. The pair did so for a short time taking the score to 30 before James was gone, he got a ball from Richards that looked as though it was in the slot but he could only send it straight up in the air and it was eventually caught at mid-on. Mark Fog was promoted up the order in an attempt to steady the ship but Hatherway bowled him with a ball that jagged back at hit off-stump. 30-6 and we were in big trouble as Whimple surrounded the bat ready for the ball that popped. Barry down was Richards 5th victim, also out caught behind square. Hatherway then took his 3rd, Jopling well caught close in on the leg side for a hard fought 19. An embarrassing collapse to 36-8 as Hatherway (9-1-27-3) and Richards (8-2-22-5) finished their spells. Dan Fog and Butler continued to attempt to build some sort of score, Dan turned the ball around the corner for 4 and Butler (16) struck the ball well on the leg side, undeterred by the 2 fielders at cow corner. He struck a couple of boundaries before being dismissed in unlucky circumstances. He tried to keep out a full ball from Wallace (2-1-9-1) and got bat on the ball but it then trickled onto his stumps and just dislodged the bails. Boother survived the next couple of balls before Dan (13) tried to go after Northover (1.1-7-1) but was easily caught. We had been rolled over on a very variable pitch for just 66,

We headed straight back out to attempt to defend our modest total or at least pick up a point or 2. Lennox and Searle started cautiously, perfectly aware that all they needed to do was bat for about 20 overs. In the 4th over Tom Fog did get the breakthrough, squaring up Lennox and dismissing him LBW. Silk joined Searle and the pair left alone numerous balls from Dan outside the off-stump. The odd ball did pop but both batsmen dealt with it well and continued calmly edging closer to the small target. Tom (4-1-15-1) was replaced by Boother but he couldn't cause the batsmen any trouble. With the field in tight any loose balls were being sent to the boundary and the score went on to 40. Dan (7-2-18) finished his spell with no reward and Barry replaced him. He and Jacko briefly tied down the batsmen but both were now in and first Searle (27 n.o) and then Silk (31 n.o) sent the ball to the fence. Silk finished it in style sending Jacko over his head for 4 and we had been well and truly smashed.

It wasn't a good toss to loose but we can not place the blame on a dodgy pitch or the toss of a coin. A very poor batting performance with almost all of us getting ourselves out and not trying hard enough to dig in and grind out a score. Much improvement is required next week if we still want to gain promotion as it is now incredibly tight at the top of the table! A demoralised dressing room was slightly lifted by a cracking tea but it was a day to forgot in terms of cricket.