MATCH REPORT WALDRON V ISFIELD 25 JULY 2009

ISFIELD WON TOSS AND ELECTED TO FIELD. WALDRON 212-8 (19PTS), ISFIELD 202-9 (17 PTS).

OLD CRIPPLE SHOWS HOW NOT TO GET OUT

An heroic 4-ball innings by wheelchair-bound Dave Williams showed the youngsters of Isfield how to overcome disability at Waldron on Saturday. A must win game for both sides became a mustn't lose situation for the visitors as they crumpled in the face of a Waldron bowling attack that found renewed belief after earlier being taken to the cleaners by a manic Jim Healey.

Skipper Fellows had skillfully called correctly and inserted the hosts on a still dampish wicket from the overnight rain. Waldron started calmly in the face of tight bowling from Halsey and Fellows and reached 46 before Fellows was awarded an LBW. Healey then dropped a superficially easy chance (rabbit scrapes - ed) before catching a screamer which damaged a finger that would have implications later in the match.

Two more wickets followed quickly and the Waldron innings was wobbling at 60-4. The spin twins Tim Fitz and Huw Williams then bowled in tandem but the threat was minimal after an initial half chance off William's first ball went through the vacant second slip position.

Waldron advanced to 148 before the re-introduction of Halsey saw a tumbling of wickets to reduce the innings to 161-8, Joe Green-Powell snapping up Houghy the Waldron skipper down the legside, the batsman sportingly walking immediately. The counting of chickens then started as it was assumed the last two wickets would fall without much ado, but Saunders and Mariner put an entertaining 51to finish on 212-8. It was to be a match saving partnership.

Tea was taken and Robin seemd to be determined to eat all the cakes so high was his plate.

Chasseaud and Healey opened the reply with Healey still feeling discomfort from his possibly broken finger. With that in mind and with his partner Chasseaud poking around like a natural number 3 he decided that attack was the best option. Unfortunately he pulled a muscle in his right leg that was heavily strapped to protect a knee complaint and so quick singles were out of the question. Boundaries it had to be and with each success it became easier and easier as the bowlers heads dropped in the face of the onslaught. Chasseaud was calmly chipping in but seemed to be content to give the strike to his now flat-track bully of a partner.

The score raced on to 113 before disaster struck in the form of a brilliant run out. Throwing to the bowlers end certainly surprised Chasseaud (43) who admitted later he was dawdling with the result that the direct hit found him a yard short as he was still mentally rolling a fag. One wicket always brings two and so it was with Healey smashing a short ball to the cover fielder instead of into the gap, going for 69 with the score on 117.

Still no need to panic as Fellows and Huw Williams kept the momentum going getting to 148 before Williams was bowled for 11. Plenty of batting to come but Green-Powell almost immediately had to retire hurt after being struck on the foot. Jake Lucas made just 4 before bing bowled and then Fellows skied one to square leg and was gone for 41. 29 runs to win off 7 overs and with 5 wickets remaining should have been a doddle but the rest of the innings resembled footage of the R101 crashing and burning. (Look it up in Wikipedia - ed) Stef Halsey hit 9 and was bowled, Tim Fitz, golden duck, and Robin Goodyear chipping one up for an easy catch.

So with three overs to go, 15 needed to win, Joe hobbled back out and bravely held the fort with Jamie Hall. No reverse hitting from Hall helped calm nerves and with Green-Powell blocking it out the match entered the last over. Second ball, Green-Powell hobbled back to the pavilion having been bowled, to be replaced by the hobbling Dave Williams. Could the old boy do it? Would he resist for three balls and take a wild swish to be out on the final delivery?

There was much relief in the Isfield camp as well as wonder at how the hell we didn't win. In the end though it was a thoroughly well played match with both sides striving hard but keeping to the spirit of cricket. Much talk was had in the pub afterwards and relations between the teams was cordial.

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