CURDRIDGE vs FAWLEY II's - 4th June 2022
It was a wet one Saturday, as overnight rain had left the top damp, which added a new dynamic to the Reading Room Road.
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Sterling efforts from Messers Hillier, Bollard, and Cozen’s had meant the ground was still a picture for the visit of Fawley, a new fixture for the machine and judging by the league table, another must win game.
Into the team came the quiet Welsh lad, and nearly new Jack - You will be pleased to know I have jacked in the Jack jokes now, even I was getting confused!
Toss won (three in a row) and bowl first was the easy decision
Del and Dave started their urban scooters and it was a steady start for the Fawley boys until Dave got one to spiral off the outside edge towards deep point.
A familiar phrase this year, but there were long odds on Rob taking the catch, particularly as his legs had to contend with the outfield moguls whilst keeping his eye on the red thing. Once again it was never in doubt, and the catch of the season competition already has some stellar contenders - great grab Robbo!
Dave then followed up with a first baller and Del then trapped the other opener in front and the scoreboard was a wobbly 21-3.
There was then a strong partnership, as the left-handers caused difficulties for the bowlers, Sammy in particular having trouble calibrating the Radar after a week at band camp requiring an early summons for Skipper to turn the arm over.
More runs flowed until one of Skippers very slow balls tempted the ball skywards and Dave did the rest.
Mark then trapped another in front, before he put his foot into it, sending down a beautiful twirler that did for the star batsman, bowled round his legs, however celebrations were cut short when he realised he had clattered his size 9’s into the stumps at the bowlers end - less Panther, more Elephant and the batsman was reprieved.
Wickets then continued to fall at regular intervals with Dave finally getting he well set batsman for a classy 84.
The innings eventually closed with the Fawley lads all out for 169, a good effort from the Machine.
By now Jack’s stiff back was looking like it was made out of mechano, so we was sent out with a see ball, hit ball instruction. He certainly saw one of them, as he sent the opening quick for a monster six into St Peters Close.
A promising partnership of 40 ended and Skipper joined Dom in the middle with the ball starting to show some variable bounce which caused an early demise for Skipper.
Alan and Dave found fielders in quick succession and the innings was creaking at 95-4.
Dom was still at the crease and joined by man in a hurry (Gary) who mainly dealt in sixes crashing a rapid 29 to take Curdridge to the brink with 30 runs required and 6 wickets still in hand.
Suddenly Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang and Gary, Dom, Mark and Punter were rapidly despatched and a game that we were cruising was back into the balance.
Could the tail get us over the line, Robbo showed some late defiance supported by Sammy to get us within sniffing distance but one big shot too many found the fielder and with the last pair requiring 12 it was a stretch too far as the last wicket fell.
A game we could, and should have won, with the only consolation that another decent points haul was garnered in defeat.
Many Doom Bars were taken as the post mortem ran well into the night!
Next Week: Another big one - Away vs Purbrook 1pm start
Man of the Match: Dom with another excellent knock of 68 that almost got us home
Champagne Moment: Top Grab Robbo!
Donut of the Day: Mark ‘the Elephant’ Acaster!