Bride Vale 24/09/23

After winning the toss in a 30 over match, Skipper asked David and PW to open the batting. PW struggled when trying to pull the short balls but repeatedly was well through the shot before the ball arrived. He did connect with one which earned him his run but was LBW in front of the stumps in the third over (6-1). David had just cracked a four to the boundary when a sharp piece of fielding meant he was run out (19-2 from 7 overs). This brought Skipper to join Ali at the crease. Skipper punished a couple of full-tosses for four but was more than happy to take a single each ball to keep the scoreboard moving. Ali, on the other hand, was only dealing in boundaries. Having struck 2 well placed fours through the covers, Ali (15) drove a huge six to long-on before being caught trying a similar shot but miss-timing the connection (52-3, 11). Brett (5) looked to be building a partnership until he was caught. (67-4, 13). Mark (1) tried to come down the wicket to hit over the top, unfortunately not getting close to the ball and was easily stumped in the same over (70-5, 14). Skipper was starting to accelerate at this point, striking a high no-ball for six over mid-wicket and driving over long-on for six to bring up his fifty. Ben (4) was caught behind (99-6, 18) with Mike Acres (3) falling after a 40 run partnership (139-7, 24). Skipper (92) was eventually caught behind after attempting to pull one that got high on him and got a top edge (162-8, 27). The innings had been helped by some good fortune, being dropped at long-off, deep mid-wicket which went for six, a sharp C&B chance and a stumping opportunity. But on a challenging wicket you have to grasp your luck and take advantage. Foz (14*) and Mike H (1*) played out the last few overs with Foz cracking some fine fours. 172-8 from 30 overs was a good return.

Mark (1-3) opened from the pavilion end and was difficult to get away, going for just 3 runs from his 3 overs and getting the opening wicket when the batsman tried to ramp a delivery that failed to bounce, only to scoop it into Mike A’s gloves. Brett was even more economical, bowling 3 maidens in his spell! Ben replaced Mark and Ali replaced Brett. The next wicket was a drive through cover that Skipper chased. His throw was accurate enough for Ali to take the bails off and the Wanderers had a second. The next 2 batsman were both bowled by Ben (2-14) who had found a searching line and length with his in-swing and lack of bounce in the pitch, which made him almost unplayable. This gave Ben a hat-trick chance which he blew by bowling down leg-side! A blast through mid-wicket saw Brett remove his hand from the ball as it went past at an alarming speed! Ali (0-16) bowled a tidy 4 over spell without the success his variation in delivery deserved. The Wanderers recalled 1 batsman who had been adjudged LBW but had got an inside edge. Foz (2-15) bowled well and took 2 deserved wickets with deliveries that bowled the batsmen when they kept low. Brett removed the opening bat with a superb direct hit and then nearly had one at the other end with another direct hit, only for the batsman to make his ground! PW continually frustrated by bowling 2 or 3 good balls in an over, mixed with wides and leg-side deliveries that were hit to the boundary. David made a breakthrough when the batsman came striding out to meet the ball only to miss it and give Mike a stumping. PW eventually bowled to the 4th stump line and got reward with a leading edge that Skipper took at cover-point. The final wicket was a catch by Ali off David (2-14). 113 all out meant a 59 run victory.

MOM: Skipper

Catch of the day: Skipper

Quote of the day: From the Bride Vale keeper “your back must ache carrying this lot each week”