BELT @ Sherborne School 26/05/24

After liquid lunch in the Digby Tap, the Wanderers eventually found how to access the ground with dark clouds circling the ground. Skipper won the toss and sent David into open with Leo. Before they were able to get out onto the pitch, the covers were brought back on for a 30-minute rain delay. Leo (4) was looking confident at the crease until he got a good ball that deceived him (5-1, 3). David (1) was unlucky with one that kept a bit low from the in-swinging opener (6-2, 5). This brought Skipper to Join Jon and this was always going to be a crucial period for the Wanderers. With the ball lost in the hedgerow, a new ball came out and Skipper drove nicely but with the wet outfield, nothing was getting to the boundary. Skipper (4) was caught behind when he was surprised by some additional bounce (16-3, 9). With Brett playing himself in nicely, the scoring rate continued to be low, but this was never going to be a high-scoring game. Jon (6) eventually fell to the in-swinger again with one that was a bit low and played on off his pad (27-4, 15). There were several small breaks for rain and some periods where play continued in the hope it would pass soon. Shan (6) was also bowled (44-5, 19). Foz was positive from the start and he and Brett put on an impressive partnership. Brett was trying really hard to pull anything leg-side – at one point he tried so hard he missed the ball but looked to have done himself an injury, but fortunately not. Foz (18) hit a glorious straight drive over the top that only just bounced inside the boundary before the partnership was broken when he was bowled (74-6, 25). A rain break saw the teams take an early tea. Mark (17) came out with a good mix of forward defensive and huge swings across the line to great effect, clubbing 2 fours to square-leg before a wonderful drive down the ground for six. He tried to repeat this feat but was caught on the ropes (116-7, 32). Big Dog (5) was trying to keep Brett on strike who, by now, was hitting the ball nicely, but in his enthusiasm was run out with a direct hit (141-8, 35). Mike H (0) was caught pin the in-field and PW could not add anything to the total. 142-9 from 36 overs. With the rain returning as the Wanderers attempted to take the field, the decision was made to call it a day. A good decision in hindsight with the rain persisting.

MOM: Brett with a magnificent innings.

Quote of the day: “I think it’s brightening up” with lots of pointing to the distance as the rain set in for the rest of the day!