Match Report away v Sedlescombe 26 july 2009

Sedlescombe 195-5, WG 196-6

The Sedlescombe 10

Having won the toss Sedlescombe decided to bat first, with a flurry! Due to the small ground it was obvious boundaries would flow quickly and often, this was going to be a high scoring match. It should have been much higher if we had not spent so much time fishing balls out of the canal that surrounds the ground.

(Pointer for David – When you have some free time, suggest you dig a moat around Isfield for entertainment value)

Hall and (N) Buckle opened the proceedings relatively tight but anything loose was severely punished. Both getting swing and Hall increasing his pace game by game.

The opening batsman kindly informing me not to field Buckle Junior at Mid-On as that’s where he likes to hit most of his shots!!! As he hit most straight drives like a cannon Buckle Junior was removed and that particular area strengthened.

Emile Chasseud took the gloves for the day, outstanding job only dropping the ball once all afternoon. Unfortunately off an edge from (N) Buckle.

As runs were flowing, pace was taken off the ball and Woody and Fitz came into the frenzy. Buckle had a lengthy spell of 10 overs and took one scalp, deserved at least 3.
Woody bowled with his usual guile and was unlucky, Fitz picking up 2 excellent wickets.

Buckle Junior then bowled form the top end and produced a fine spell of good length, tight accurate bowling.

It was then time to unleash the ‘Atkinson’; this man is giving the mighty ‘Steph’ a run for his money? Sheer pace and venom, Chasseud doing an excellent job behind the stumps, Atkinson picking up 1 for 2 off 3.

Tea was fast approaching when Barrett came on and finally got his elusive wicket with a fine catch by the Skipper at mid-off  to a ball that was hit high and hard spinning like a top!!!!??

Hall returned for a second spell just as the Skipper bowled the final over before tea. Rumour had it the Sedlescombe Skipper was going to declare early (They thought they had enough?)  And as Tasker was on a hatrick, Barrett was taken off.

The field was brought in, plenty of close catches etc and if we had fielded 11 players Tasker would have got his hatrick but alas it was not to be as it was hit in the air for four to the gap where the fielder would have been!!!

Final score 195 for 5

(Sedlescombe did offer spare fielders but I turned them down, thanking them for their kind gesture but we are trained professionals able to cope with just a few) 

Tea was taken outside their smashing new Pavilion, not as good as ours as they commented themselves. The tea that is, the Pavilion is very impressive.

WG to bat: opening with Lucas and Atkinson. Lucas unfortunately suffering from a bad back therefore was unable to keep, his preferred fielding position.
This showed in his batting and was bowled around his legs early on. However, early signs showed excellent technique and potential to be a regular opener.

Atkinson excelled again as an opener, wickets fell early around him, Barrett at 3 and Woody at 4 both falling cheaply. Not before Woody had paddled sweeped an excellent boundary then was caught at mid-wicket. Barrett bowled by a nasty that kept low.

Chasseud joined Atkinson in the middle for a fine exciting partnership, boundaries galore with a fine straight 6 from Chasseud before he fell for a quick 35.

The Skipper joined the middle and attempted to take the paint off the ball and failed miserably. Hall then did exactly the same stating he got bored!!!!
Buckle senior then joined Atkinson who by this time had already reached his half century. With approximately 10 overs left and 50 runs to win, Victory was in the bag!

In form Buckle struck some mighty blows including a six into the ‘canal’ to finish on 38 not out.

Atkinson finished on 78 not out, a superb, classy, well paced innings – Outstanding.

WG Won with 5 overs to spare 196 for 6.

(Sedlescombe were an excellent bunch, very friendly and chatty, plenty of banter and a jolly good time was had by all)