Theale & Tilehurst 2nd XI vs Goring 2 9th June 2001

BACK

Report by PK

The day started well with winning the toss - had I known how well we were going to bat I would have let our opponents field first - but as it was we took the field on a cold blustery afternoon that as soon as we had got into the first few balls began to rain. The rain ceased after a short while and Goring were off to a good start with their openers putting nearly 50 on the board in 13 overs.

It was at this point I asked our resident leg spinner to loosen up - but good old Dermot Healy must of been watching - as only 3 balls later in the 14th over the first breakthrough was made. Dermot got a ball to lift a little more than usual and this was played to the on side where Osman stood at a shortish mid-wicket - having to take the catch quite low. 4 overs later, Dermot was at it again, this time taking the other opener with a mis-hit cover drive that Cameron Coldman gobbled up quite easily.

Ossie was bowling well as usual at the other end with a few deliveries that would have needed some Tendulkaresque finesse to get a touch on - as it was the batsmen were not good enough to lay wood onto leather. Ossies first spell of 6 overs went for 19 - but he it must be said that he was unlucky not to get any wickets. The 13th over saw the introduction of last weeks 5 wicket hero, Stuart Holmes - who began well - getting the ball to leave the batsmen. Stuart had to wait until his 5th over though before getting his first wicket though this was followed up with 3 more - one a great catch by stand-in wicketkeeper Eddie Choules and 3 LBW's all of which were given by our opponents umpire. Eddie kept very well, with only one bye being taken.

The 22nd over saw the introduction of myself - who whilst spraying the ball about a little managed to get a few straight ones in and obtain 2 wickets, both bowled. I have to mention here that I actually broke a stump - first time ever in a match for me. Wickets were tumbling now and whilst Goring had started of with quick runs, we were pegging them back hand over fist. Wickets fell regularly and runs were now hard to come by. Towards the end of the 45 overs allotted for batting Ossie was re-introduced - immediately bowling a maiden and then taking a wicket 2 overs later. The end of Goring's innings came when attempting a suicidal run to a ball that had run to a shortish fine leg - Stuart send the ball unerringly into Eddies gloves who then sent the bails tumbling with the batsman well short of his ground. Goring all out for 139.

After devouring a fantastic tea our reply got under way with Derek and Cameron walking out. Derek after being dropped on about 5 then got his head down and concentrated - picking up in the 8th over a couple of glorious 4's that left scorch marks all the way to the long off boundary. Cameron on the other hand was seeing the ball like a football - punishing any wayward delivery that happened to come his way with a mixture of exquisite timing and pure brutality. After the 14th over the pair had put on 56 runs and reached the 100 partnership in only 23 overs. It was in the 26th over that Derek was caught at mid-wicket with a mis-timed hook that was acrobatically taken by the fielder. A good innings of 42 in a partnership worth 108.

Cameron on the other hand was looking majestic - driving one ball over long on for six to go past 50. After Derek's departure Alan Pyke came in - and continued in the good form he has been showing of late - supporting Cameron with a mixture of singles and two's and a good boundary towards the end of our innings.

The target of 140 was reached comfortably in the 34th over - with Cameron deservedly taking the winning run - an unbeaten innings of 76 that included 10 fours and 1 six saw him taking well earned applause from not only his teamates, but also our opponents.