Hursley Park vs Wield, Sunday 2nd Sept
Weather - The usual....Mizzle, drizzle and solid rain
Match summary – Wield survive an onslaught to claim a creditable draw
Wield lost the toss and with an almost full team we were asked to field in the rain. Hursley unveiled a left handed opener who was frankly playing well below his level and he took a liking to Dave and Scott's opening spell quite quickly. Quality cover drives were interspersed with the odd slog. On his Wield debut Sebi dropped a tough chance and then Jack did well to get too and unluckily drop an absolute skier at mid off.
Robin was brought on to stem the flow of runs .... not the skippers best decision and the runs continued, Ken replaced Scott and the runs continued and finally the skipper brought himself on and the runs continued. Yorkie had one smashed back at him, which only brought a drop and a very bruised finger. Yorkie walked off to get some motherly comfort and the team was skippered by Robin.
Ken finally got a false shot from Hursley's opener and Toby behind the stumps took a dolly, he walked off cursing his luck for 92, the team score was 105!!!!
The tide had turned and Hursley tried to prove there were definitely a 1 trick pony with wickets falling steadily before one of the champagne moments of the year happened. We all know Philip is a cricket legend but stunning one handed catches in the gully are not normally part of his extensive repertoire. Ken bowled an outswinger and after a flash of blade the ball screamed to our hero, as if shelling peas Philip raised his right hand and plucked the missile out of the air.
Sebi came on to bowl and did a great impression of a fast bowler in the making, Wield kept picking up wickets until our new skipper decided in true U11 style to bring himself back on!!!! This madness did not effect the score too much and Hursley finished on 177/8 at tea.
Tea was extended due to flogging rain but strangely the bar wasn't open.........bugger!!!!!
Toby and Jack started our reply and just like the last 3 matches their partnership made it to 40 before Jack decided to sweep the spinner and was caught at short fine leg. Toby continued to play well until he strangely missed a straight one. The Simeon made a welcome return to the Wield team and rolled back the years with some gorgeous drives. Scott also played some force full shots and we had a chance.
As usual this optimism was unfounded and 2 quick wickets soon put our chances of winning out of reach. Ken came in at no.5 and was joined by Sebi who soon departed which brought Harry to the wicket, the sight of Ken (6ft 3) and chatting to Harry (4ft 2) made most people smile as did the fact that Harry scored more runs and did most of the calling!!!!
Ken was given out in slightly controversial circumstances but Robin finished off the job and Wield had hung on for a creditable draw.
A fun game which would have been much better if we hadn't played in November!!!!!!!
Tony
