SATURDAY XI v Colden Common II's - 22nd June 2019
After two weeks spent with their significant others, Curdridge were glad the rainy season was over and travelled to Colden Common, keen to get back on the horse after two defeats in a row.
New recruit Adie tagged in for Sam but otherwise it was a full strength side that took to the field (#Where's Dimmy)
Skipper wandered out to a damp looking track knowing the toss was going to be crucial and bowl first was an obvious choice.
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Up went the coin, “tails" said Skipper,
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Coin came down heads,
Opposition skipper "we will have a bat",
Skipper "Thank you” employing his best poker face to cover his surprise.
Del and Tav started their respective cars - Del resembling a classic open topped sporty number, for Tav think Fiat 500.
The pitch was as expected, slow and low and once Tav had worked out that bowling at the stumps would be a good idea he soon had the opener trapped in front.
He then bowled the number 3 before Del got into the act bowling both his victims during a tight 15 over spell which saw the home side reduced to 44 for 4.
The Curdridge banter coefficient was high as Pythagorus (Dave) then swapped in for Tav, and Rob replaced Del with the middle order already exposed.
It didn’t take long before more wickets arrived, with the mathematician getting his angles right to remove 3 in quick succession with slow low bouncers that hit the stumps, and Rob and Skipper teamed up with two caught in the covers.
In a blink of the eye the innings was wrapped up when Rob had the number 11 trapped in front, and the home side were dismissed for what looked like a below par 69.
A cracking tea was demolished and Curdridge set about their task, eyeing up an early finish and some bonus time taking evening refreshments.
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Jay and Mark started up but it didn’t last long before Jay was bowled by a low one.
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Adie then decided attack was the best form of defence, unfortunately it wasn’t as he also had his stumps re-arranged and skipper wandered out to the middle.
Skipper then wandered back having nicked off, and was quickly followed by Dave, trapped right in front of middle, and Alan bowled.
17 for 5 was the score, and 70 runs was looking a very good score on this pitch.
Jack and Mark started to settle the ship, helped by some generous catching (or lack of) and the scoreboard slowly started ticking up to 40 before Jack succumbed in the deep.
Rob then followed and at 43 for 7 the game was still very much in the balance.
Fortunately Curdridge can call upon the man in form, as Mike Punt strolled to the crease wandering what all of the fuss was about.
His sturdy forward defensive was married up with some stunning cover drives, and Mark was doing a sterling job at the other end to hold the innings together as the scoreboard slowly approached the target.
It was deservedly left to Mark to hit the winning runs, crashing one into the pavilion to finish what had been a roller coaster of a game, and Curdridge were very relieved to get away with the win.
Man of the Match - No contest this week, Mark playing a stunning knock on a difficult track to get us over the line.
Champagne Moment - Mark wins this as well, pulling the winning runs into the pavilion as Curdridge crawled over the line
Donut of the Day - Not too many contenders this week, so Dave can have it for dropping one at square leg.
Next week the squad will all be signing up the Mike Punt batting school to learn how it is done, as we return home to the lane to face Tichborne, 1pm start.