Those keen followers of the trials and tribulations of this Sunday side would be forgiven for thinking that they’re reading another report of the match two weeks ago. However, please keep reading. Our scheduled match against Marden had to be called off as they sadly couldn’t raise a team. With Aldbourne’s opposition for the weekend being in the same predicament, a decision was made to play again, ensuring that we at least got a game.
Our last meeting with Aldbourne produced a decent game of cricket which they ended up winning fairly comfortably, but they always turn out a strong side and so the Captain was a little concerned when speaking with their fixture secretary mid week to find that they were going to be back to full strength this week!
The Old School ground was bathed in unexpected late summer sunshine on arrival. The Captain, having won the toss, decided that with another beautifully prepared batting track which looked full of runs (courtesy of Pete Williams) and the clouds dissipating, conditions would suit the batsmen and so batting first would put us at an advantage.
Pete Hayward (a regular for Wilton) and the skipper were chosen to open the batting and all didn’t go according to plan when Pete top edged the fourth ball of the innings to mid-wicket. The Captain was the next to fall missing a straight one in the seventh over and Wilcot were in trouble with two wickets down and 31 runs on the scoreboard. Consolidation was provided by incoming bat George Fox, who settled quickly and then started to find some boundaries. Unfortunately, finding a batsman with which to build a meaningful partnership was seemingly harder to come by and Wilcot found themselves with 10 overs left and only 109 runs scored. Hopes of accelerating the run rate took a dent in the following over when George was unlucky to play on but some big hitting by Jamie Guerin, batting at No. 8 supported by Luke Morane-Griffiths ensured that Wilcot finished with a respectable 183 scored from 33 overs.
Scoring 175 against the same side two weeks previously had ended up being about 30/40 short and so whilst 183 was an improvement, given our position in the 25th over, it was still sub par against a team that had a strong batting line up.
A formidable cake selection greeted our weary heroes at the break. A brace of Victoria Sponges was accompanied by lemon drizzle, blueberry and raspberry cakes. Doughnuts and chocolate brownies ensured that anyone with a sweet tooth was well catered for. Some enticing chunky egg mayonnaise, paired with some cheese and pickle sandwiches ensured there was something for savoury fans also.
Given the amazing selection on offer at tea, our fully replenished athletes took to the field with a spring in their step and full of enthusiasm.
Jamie Guerin and Ash Elliot were tasked with opening the bowling. Both bowlers started well with Jamie finding the edge on more than one occasion, but with nothing going to hand the skipper turned to George Fox to try to induce the first wicket. George bowled accurately, regularly beating the bat but with openers Spencer and Singh now well set, frustration started to grow and at the drinks break in the 17th over with 120 runs already scored, the Captain was starting to wonder where a wicket was going to come from.
With the team a little light in the spin department, it was decided during drinks that George would change his action and send down some off breaks. Additionally, in a move of unparalleled cunning, George also announced that he was going to change his shoes!
The captain was unable to confirm whether it was the spin or the shoes that out foxed the batsman but he bowled Aldbourne’s No. 2 bat Singh with his second delivery of the next over and did the same with Aldbourne’s incoming skipper the next ball. George just missed out on the hat trick, inducing a thick edge from the following delivery, however, a sense of optimism was restored and Wilcot knew that the outcome of the game now lay with taking the wicket of opening bat Spencer.
Sadly, Spencer was far too good for any of the bowling that we were able to deliver. A run out and well deserved wicket for Ash Elliot were merely consolatory as it wasn’t the prized wicket that we needed and Aldbourne were able to exceed our score, with bat Spencer having hit a century, in the 28th over.
An enjoyable game played in a good spirit. The Captain is very grateful to Aldbourne for stepping in last minute when our scheduled fixture was cancelled. Ultimately, the game hinged on one player, who was far too good for anything that a Sunday friendly bowling attack could muster and with not enough runs on the board and without the wicket of the opener, the outcome of the game was never in doubt.
Another loss but plenty of positives to take from a very enjoyable game. Huge thanks to Nel Fox, Min Aikenhead and Paul Shorthose for helping with the tea.
Whilst that’s it as far as Wilcot Sunday cricket is concerned for 2018, I hope to see some of you at the club day on the 2nd September.
Hayward Caught 2
Watherston Bowled 22
Drewitt. S LBW 8
Fox. G Bowled 63
Elliot. A Caught 12
Dutoit LBW 6
Powell Bowled 0
Guerin Not Out 48
Aikenhead Bowled 0
Morane – Griffiths Caught 10
Guerin 7 0 41 0
Elliot 7 0 25 1
Fox 7 0 30 3
Dutoit 2 0 31 0
M-Griffiths 3 0 27 0
Watherston 1.5 0 19 0