MATCH REPORT 10 AUG 2009 WG V EATBOURNE MARTLETS

EASTBOURNE 170-7, WG 170 ALL OUT. MATCH TIED.

The Eastbourne Tie!

Finally a full compliment of players, however Eastbourne could only muster 10 (Very Disappointing)

So with everybody arriving promptly, Fantom with his customary hangover we commenced at 2.10 with the usual timed game. Eastbourne won the toss and batted first.

A blazing sunny afternoon, perfect conditions resulting in WG producing a Master Class in bowling and fielding.

Saunders had driven up from Devon especially and opened the innings from the top end with a mammoth spell of 10 straight overs of excellent, accurate bowling producing 2 wickets for 14 runs. Not one whinge or complaint of any muscles aching, pulling, hamstrings tugging, piles itching – nothing!

Hall commenced at the other end but could not produce his normal control so was removed after 5. Buckle and M. Fellows then continued the good work, both bowling continuous spells of 9 overs each both for very little and both picking up a well deserved wicket a piece.

Fantom came on for a very quick spurt but was so erratic due to the fact his head was on another planet he was taken off after 2 overs but managed to collect a wicket with his last ball.

Barrett produced a decent spell, little expensive but also picked up a wicket as well as the new chap Spiller (A Brinky friend from Plumpton) who bowled a tidy line and also collected a wicket.

A total of 43 overs were bowled by WG, with Eastbourne racking up 170 for 7.

All wickets were taken with catches due to some excellent field placing by the skipper allowing for the seam movement and swing being generated by the excellent senior bowlers. Nothing was put down, everyone showed great energy and enthusiasm in the field. Bucket hands Barrett picking up 2, including a scorcher at backward point off Buckle.

Atkinson kept wicket for the main part, swapping with Goodyear near the end, both picking up catches behind the stumps.

Tea was then taken, 'A Brinky Family Special' A superb spread, even the mid-game drinks had been iced!!!Cream Scones, Selection of Home-made Cakes, Huge selection of different flavoured Sandwiches, absolutely marvellous and without doubt has to be considered for 'Tea of the Year?' Alice had major input and with Mum did an exceptional job of setting the table and clearing up!

WG then to bat! Atkinson and Brinky to open, Atkinson did his 'Ravi Bopara' impression and gave a soft catch to gulley, for his first failure as opener this year. Goodyear in at 3 and put on an excellent partnership together with Brinky reaching 88 before Goodyear miss hit to midwicket and was caught for a well crafted 27.

During this time Brinky had proceeded to destroy the Eastbourne bowlers with numerous boundaries including a superb straight 6 over the hedge adjacent to the Oak tree. He finally fell for an excellent 56.

Spiller showed some excellent talent and class as a fine batsman playing with a straight bat and excellent technique.

The middle order collapsed, Spiller fell for 12 just after the Skipper had got his eye in by hitting the first ball for 4 then a few balls later was given out stumped to a highly dubious decision by the square leg umpire (Saunders) (who took at least 3 and half hours to pass judgement) stating he was not sure, he wanted to give benefit of the doubt to the batsman but then decided he had to give it???

Never put Bowlers as Umpires!!!

Fantom went for a quick 9, then caught and bowled, Buckle caught on the square leg boundary to a ball that had 6 written all over it, when the fielder plucked it from the sky one handed.

Barrett lasted no time at all and failed to trouble the scores so it left the talents of Hall, M. Fellows and Saunders.

Fellows fell to an LBW appeal given by Atkinson for 1 and was most upset. (Another bowler as Umpire!) so Hall proceeded to take the attack to Eastbourne and smashed 42 with Saunders bringing up the rear in a supporting role with 8 not out.

The game looked in the bag, 2 or 3 overs left and 4 or 5 runs to win – Easy?

Just as the score reached 170 with 2 overs remaining, Hall took a massive swipe and missed it and was cleaned bowled – Game Tied.

What a game, thank you to all for pitching in and producing an excellent, exciting game and with a full side. Looks like we could have a full compliment next week.