A warm day, people getting sun burn, and a match where we were in control from the start. Played in good spirits and a laugh. Richard Bielby captained us for the last time, and he will be missed at the helm.
We bowled first, and once again Curtis (1-9 off four overs) was firing on all cylinders. His first two balls were close LBW calls, and his fourth delivery popped up nicely enough for the batsman to clip it to Bielby at gully. Bielby from the other end coming uphill removed their number three LBW as he shuffled in front of the stumps, and then left Primary on 3-3 as he broke the stumps of their number four. All their people out had got ducks.
A partnership of 41 then ensued with Williamson, their other opener, hitting some lovely strokes. He though fell on 30, with Stockinger taking a sharp close catch off the bowling of debut player Akhter, bowling left-arm spin round the wicket. West, playing his second game for us, replaced Bielby (2-13 off 4 overs), and found his run-up having a few problems uphill. However, it was smiles all round when he bowled their number five on 8. It quickly became 51-6 when taking a second run, Bielby threw a direct throw to the stumps from the third man boundary. A great piece of fielding from the skipper.
Shiel came on to turn his arm over. Giving the ball flight he teased the batsmen, but proving slightly expensive with 0-29 off his four overs. Akhter, bowling well, then bowled their number seven. A brief period of runs brought the score to 99 before the eighth wicket fell; Akhter again the bowler taking his third wicket with the help from a magnificent catch on the long off boundary by Scott. The ball seemed to be in the air an awfully long time, and Scott’s smile said it all when the ball stuck. A flurry of runs from their number eight Baker (who ended 32 not out) pushed the score to 126, ably assisted by Jenkins, their number ten. He was bowled by West after reaching 14, and then their number eleven fell almost immediately with Akhter this time taking the catch at short cover off West’s bowling. Akhter finished with 3-29 off eight, and West 3-36 off 4.4.
Our fielding had been sharp, and catches held. Baker had been dropped twice but both chances were very difficult to say the least; Henderson doing well to stop the ball low at his feet fielding behind square-leg, and Scott jumping and reaching with his finger-tips at mid-Wicket. The score was 126 all out and that was in just 24 overs.
After last week’s incredible batting performance against Pacific (!), we ate tea with some thoughts going through our heads. We had to make sure we were positive, but also concentrated hard. Henderson and Stockinger opened the batting. They had a good left arm opener who was finding good line and length. Stockinger (9) hit two lovely fours, and seemed quite settled. However, he played over the top of a full pitched delivery and his middle stump was struck. This brought Mendis out to be with Henderson. It has to be said that two very different innings were played. Henderson, gaining confidence, decided to stay with Mendis, and was very careful with his shots. Their bowlers must have been frustrated at the times he played and missed, but he bided his time. Mendis was his normal extravagant self, hitting shots to all corners of the ground.
They brought us to victory with a partnership of 116, and ten overs to spare. Henderson scored 19 not out from his 88 deliveries in 97 minutes at the crease, hitting two 4s. Mendis ended with 89 not out off only 65 deliveries. He struck six 6s and eight 4s. As you can see there were not many singles! It was good to get a win under our belts again, with particularly good bowling from all, and watching Mendis find some form.