SATURDAY XI vs FAIR OAK IV's - 24th August 2019
The last home league game of the season took place at a sunny Reading Room Lane, with a full strength Curdridge side looking to continue their winning streak.
Whilst the rain had put paid to last Saturday’s fixture, results elsewhere meant that Curdridge had moved up a place in the league and two wins from their last two games would give them a real chance of promotion.
Bat first was the desired choice but skipper lost the toss so it was field first for the Machine.
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Del, returning with the wind in his sails, took the new ball and served up his usual selection of dots, interspersed with a couple of chances that were spurned. He found the breakthrough though with the opener trapped in front.
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Tav bowled a spell of balls that were simply too good for the batsman, who were bamboozled struggling to lay a bat on the ball.
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Dave then tagged in for the wicketless Tav, and got one through the number three’s defence, and Jay tagged in at the other end with his twirlers.
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Making good use of the pitch, Jay bowled a full toss that clattered into middle stump, and followed it up as the opposing skipper attempted to launch the ball into St Peter’s Close first ball but he failed to connect leaving Jay with two in two balls.
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Jay continued to wheel away and was too much for the opposing middle order as he returned three more wickets to leave him with a five for - Well Bowled!
Sammy tagged in for Dave, and he too found a way through the defences before Skipper assisted a caught and bowled by volleying the ball straight back to Sammy when attempting to stop a crunched drive into the covers.
The combined powers of the Curdridge attack were too much for the Fair Oak lads, and they were dismissed for 75.
A stunning tea from Mrs Mark Emms was promptly demolished before M&M started the innings.
Mark displaying a series of shots around his wagon wheel, and Punter making full use of his Dairylea triangle.
Punter had an aberration missing a straight one bringing Jay to the crease and he and Mark nursed the score to the target for the loss of the one wicket.
Not the best performance of the season, but enough to take an easy victory and all eyes can now look forward to the last game of the season.
The equations are complex, but a good win next week will secure third place in the league and promotion to the County leagues which would be an immense achievement for the Machine. The last time that happened Mike Hillier had hair, and Del Candy could bowl in hurricanes!
The details, we are away vs Bishop’s Waltham 1pm start at the Holt in Upham. All support welcomed!
Man of the Match
Jay is the clear winner this week, a variety of deliveries bring him 5 wickets and a steady not out to see us home
Champagne Moment
Not everyday you see an assist on a caught and bowled but Skippers ‘Le Tissier’ style footwork in the covers takes the bubbles
Donut of the Day
Joint winners as both Del and David managed to independently face plant themselves into the turf mid-run up much to the amusement of the masses.