Theale & Tilehurst Friendly XI vs Eversley 15th April 2006

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Report by Fingers

The first game of the tenth playing season for T&T was what has become the traditional curtain raiser against Eversley. Some things haven't changed from last year and Cat won the toss and swiftly put Eversley in to bat on a pitch that was still damp from the previous day's rain but perfectly playable.

The early exchanges displayed a certain amount of rustiness on both sides and the first wicket was typical of this, a full toss spliced up in to the air for an easy catch at mid wicket.

It was the Eversley batsmen that got in to their stride first and Pullen in particular was able to take advantage of bowling that tended to err on the short side. Paul Ager was struggling to come to terms with the conditions in his first game for a number of years but did perhaps display an ability to be a golden arm as he convinced two batsmen to put the ball straight down Dopey's throat at deep mid-wicket; the captain did suggest to him after his first wicket though that if he was going to buy them he might have to consider somewhere cheaper than Harrods.

For much of the innings Eversley looked like they would go past 200 and at 161-4 looked like they would be able to attack the last few overs. However, Crofty and Rags then produced the two best bowling spells by T&T bowlers and the score soon became 180-8 and seemingly gave T&T a way back in to the game. A score of 193 did look at tea though like it was 20-30 over par for the conditions.

James and Rog opened up for T&T but neither were able to get a start against the all South African opening attack for Eversley. Dopey was able to consolidate and in his first game after a season away Crofty showed he's lost none of his aggressive intent. With the two of them together it looked like T&T would be able to mount a successful chase but when Crofty edged to slip trying to cut one that was a bit too close a mini collapse followed.

However, with Cat and Micky both batting down the order the chance wasn't gone and they were able to put together a second significant partnership that again looked like it might take T&T to victory. However, with 28 needed Cat nicked to the 'keeper and after a couple of typically lusty blows Mo followed suit although he can count himself a little unlucky as Trapani completed an excellent one handed catch.

Andy soon followed bowled by the pacy Kleyweg and with two overs to go ten were needed with the last pair of Micky and Phil at the crease. When Micky hit the first ball of the penultimate over for four it seemed to shift the balance back in favour of T&T again and only three were needed going in to the final over. Not being in a position to take any chances Micky had to wait for a bad ball but alas none were forthcoming and three were needed to win when the final ball came around.

In what was a straight win/loss game the two taken off the final ball meant the game ended as a tie. As the result wasn't paramount for both sides the match suited both in that it gave all the players an opportunity for a bat and a bowl as the preparations for the league season get underway.