CURDRIDGE vs LOCKS HEATH II'S - 29th August 2020
Resources were on short supply in the village over the weekend with many players missing, choosing to support Dave in his latest quest to win the Welsh Mankini championship.
However a brave Curdridge Ten made their way to Royal Victoria Country Park to face Locks Heath II’s in a hastily rearranged fixture as recent Monsoons had left Reading Room Lane under water.
Win the toss and bowl first was the ask, skip lost the toss (another personal best) but he got what he wanted as Curdridge were invited to have a field.
Pink balls and an astro track but Del Candy has seen it all before and immediately got into his rhythm at the bottom of the hill. James A started his car at the top and the opening batsmen were immediately under pressure.
The run rate was kept well in check and the first opener perished with Sammy taking a swirler at point to give Del the first.
Twenty minutes later and an action replay did for the other opener, with James the beneficiary from another good grab from bucket hands Sammy.
28-2 but then the Locks Heath steadily rebuilt, as Alex B swapped in for James and Jay replaced Del.
Alex bowling some decent wheels from the top of the hill then had a chance to pick up the third wicket with the batsman skying one up towards mid off.
Who do you want under a catch like that, well Punter wouldn’t be top of the list and the team had enough time get together and agree that he had no chance as the ball towered in the wind.
Punter is a man for surprises though and he took a stunner - never in doubt mate!
Alex followed up 2 balls later removing the new bat with a good grab from Dimmy in the slips and the Locks Heath innings was struggling at 48-4.
Jay compounded the issues with an LBW and a bowled and Curdridge were well on top now.
The Locks Heath lower order then showed some discipline to nurdle the score on through the latter owners, despite tight bowling and fielding all round, with Dimmy and Sammy picking up late wickets.
Tea taken and 112 was the target, now history has seen the Machine struggle to negotiate small targets and when both Dimmy and Punter departed early doors then it looked like it could be one of those days.
Jack and Jay rebuilt before one went aerial and Alex joined Jay in the middle with the innings wobbling at 28-3.
28-3 became 45-4 when Alex left the scene after a promising start.
Salmon made his way to the middle and Jay took the initiative finding the boundary at will and the scoreboard started to motor.
When Jay then left the scene for a well made 34 it was left to Skipper and Alan to nurse the innings towards the target.
After a few cultured heaves Skipper departed following one that needed a DRS review, and it was left to Sammy to calm the nerves in the pavilion as the Machine got home with a couple of wickets to spare.
The win ends the mini-league season with just friendlies now left to play.
Curdridge finished in a very respectable second place amongst some very strong sides, and but for a dodgy ten overs against Mansbridge and a last ball run out vs Waltham then on another day the Machine could well have topped the table.
The future is looking bright for the Saturday Side, the banter coefficient is high, and the team is well set for a tilt at County 4 next season, with several new recruits bolstering the squad and giving Skipper genuine selection issues this year.
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Next week we have a friendly at home on Sunday 1.30 start
Man of the Match
Team effort this week, with everyone playing their part so recognition goes to the ladies behind the pencil case, Jan and Hayley doing another excellent job with the book.
Champagne Moment
No contest this week, great catch from Punter much to the crowds surprise!
Donut of the Day
Some more comedy fielding from Punter who is always in with a shout at winning, but this week goes to Alan losing one that went straight up behind the stumps and using his head to field the ball with comedy clunk on helmet included.