Theale & Tilehurst Friendly  XI vs. Dorchester-on-Thames Friendly  XI

11th July 2010

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Report by Dopey.

There I was sitting at the nearest Theale drinking establishment on Saturday evening when Brian informed me that Sunil had had to pull out of Sundays game as he had been hurt playing for the firsts and could I skipper.
           
The start time had been brought forward to 12.30 so that everybody could watch the World cup final in the evening. I was taking bets on the amount of people that would think that it was a 2pm start and turn up late. I was proved wrong everybody turned up in plenty of time including the opposition.

This was a last minute fixture and a side from the west of Berkshire who we had never played before. As I walked out to the middle with Dorcester on Thames skipper the sun was belting down and I was hoping to win the toss and field. The Dorcester skipper called correctly and on a nice green track asked us to bat first.

I decided to open with Arsalan and Charlie Cooke. The pitch was green and was giving the bowlers a little encouragement especially when Charlie was given out LBW with the score on 18. Matt Runkel and Arsalan started to build an innings and take the shine of the ball with both regularly finding the boundary.  The pair had put on 54 before Matt was bowled for 27. Alan continued an unlucky run of form when he went soon afterwards scoring only 1.Dennis came to the crease with the score on 73-3. He had borrowed Raj's spare bat and was soon using it as if they had been together all their life's. Arsalan and Dennis's initial intention was to keep the scoreboard ticking on what was a glorious batting track. Both were finding the boundary and Arsalan was the first to get his fifty and was praised by his skipper with the words 'now get head down and get three figures'. Dennis soon passed his fifty in what was a 95 run partnership. Dennis soon went for 67 and  Stuart Brown then played a great role in a 72 run partnership with Arsalan which Stuart selflessly helping Arsalan get his second century of the season and T&T finishing on 240-5.

After tea Dennis opened the bowling with young Michael Holder and the not quite so young Bob Williams. Michael soon bowled the Dorcester opener Andrew. The outfield meant that if anything found the gap the ball raced to the boundary. With a run rate of 6 an over Dorcester were always in the game. Dorcester's number 3 McComb was being tested by both Bob and Michael but was battling well. Bob took the next two wickets and the latter brought about a shout of joy from Bob who then informed us that it was his 700th wicket for the club. McComb was now the rock that the Dorcester innings needed and partnerships with Redhead and Townsend Dorcester were still in contention even if they were just off the run rate. Fortunately for T&T we kept taking wickets but with McComb still there all results were possible. Fortunately in Michaels first of his second spell he took the wicket of Belcher and Dorcester were all out for 204 with McComb being unbeaten on 85.

As skipper I have to thank my team as every player played their part and it was an honour to be skipper. The game was very enjoyable and I must thank Dorcester for chasing our target when other teams could well off shut up shop. Congratulations go to Arsalan on his Ton and Bob for his 700 milestone. Also I must say that the young bowlers we had today all excelled themselves and should be very proud of their performances on a batting friendly track.