CURDRIDGE vs LOCKS HEATH II's - 31st May 2025
The Harry Wilkins Gazette: Hard fought game, Curdridge loss
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A muggy afternoon greeted the Curdridge machine as it stepped out for another home game, hoping to make it three wins on the trot, up against Locks Heath IIs who were sitting just above us in the table, and also on a good start to the season.
I fear the cricketing gods were indeed watching and listening last week, and decided it was time for Mark to get that Jules-Feeling and lose the toss once more. Unsurprisingly, Locks Heath chose to bat, and much grumbling was heard from the Curdridge ranks that Mark had failed to ensure the opposition skipper guessed incorrectly the random spin of a 50-50 chance… (All except Rob, who is quite happy to field…)
Back in the side this week was Dan, as Stu decided discretion was the better part of valour as he awaited the arrival of the latest addition to the Hillman Clan. Opening up the bowling then were Dan and Steve, finding bounce from a hard pitch early on and already drawing out some athletic stops from Jack, as well as keeping the run rate down with just 20 runs coming from the first 8 overs. However as the opening batsmen settled in runs began to flow more quickly, a difficult chance for a catch put down, and the score accelerated with the opening partnership passing 50.
At this stage the opposition opener (and skipper) called a quick single; however, sweeping in from cover like an aging tiger with a slight limp having spotted an even more decrepit foe staggering through the undergrowth, Rob collected the ball and threw with one stump to aim at – a direct hit seeing the Locks Heath captain run out and returning to the boundary. (*Writer’s Note: I’ll admit, my thought was “the temerity of it, trying to take a quick single off me!”.
So I expect I’ll pay for the hubris later in the season).
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Curdridge had the breakthrough, but the number three batsman settled in and continued the flow of runs, another 50 coming before just after drinks a second foolhardy single was called, this time it being Sam’s turn to produce a great throw, into Jack’s gloves it went and he positively demolished the stumps to pick up the second wicket at 109.
With Sam bowling at one end with no reward, it was the redoubtable Mr Punt’s turn to step up at the other and continue his challenge for leading wicket taker. A tight first few overs soon gave way to ore runs as the batsmen continued to find the boundary, but, as he is doing with positively irritating frequency, Mike struck, knocking back the stumps to claim the third wicket with the score on 139.
As the final ten overs approached the run rate hadn’t diminished, and time for another change with the skipper bringing himself on at one end and Rob at the other. As with last week, on his second ball Rob struck, clean bowling the batsman who seemed to think he was going to hit it into the next field.
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At the other end, Mark produced another wicket, and the chances began to come, but with opportunities for catches dropped and a stumping missed the runs were mounting. Rob struck with the last ball of his spell, a sharp catch from Jack behind the stumps, to claim the sixth wicket, and it was over to Steve and Mark to finish the innings. No more wickets would fall, and some good running by the batting pair in the final few overs saw Locks Heath reach 253-6. A big target, but not insurmountable given our recent batting form. It was, however, a tired fielding side going in for tea, probably having given Locks Heath 20-30 runs more than they should have scored.
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An excellent tea spread was provided by Mike, and the batting order from number 3 onwards did their best to put the mockers on the openers with comments such as ‘I’m hoping for a sit down’, and ‘hopefully I won’t have to bat for a while’. Out strode Dom and Rob, Rob hoping that he might manage to scrape a few more runs than he did last week (shouldn’t be difficult, considering last week). Tight bowling from the off restricted the runs, as Dom and Rob looked to play themselves in; with a lot of runs to the total, the required run rate was soon mounting but with a tight line from the bowling and sharp fielding runs were restricted during the first 10 overs, although a platform began to be set. The next ten overs saw the score begin to accelerate, and at drinks Curdridge were not far off 100 still without loss.
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The opening stand passed 100, but a change of bowling following drinks, though, brought a breakthrough, with Dom bowled for 50.
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Up next was Jules, and with Rob still in at the other end the scoring rate began to push towards giving us a fighting chance, but the required run rate edging towards 9 an over and the field spread to protect the boundary. Good fielding from Locks Heath turned opportunities for boundaries into singles as the challenge became tougher.
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The next wicket fell as Rob was bowled for 63 but realistically taking too long to get there. The incoming batsmen had been left with a lot to do; Jack started out well but his luck finally turned, with a shot we were all convinced was going to land on the roof of the clubhouse inexplicably dropping from the sky and ending in the fielder’s hands.
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Craig departed soon after attempting to push on, and then Jules for 39, and the battle was becoming how many points could be picked up, as Locks Heath searched for wickets. Alan steadied the ship, and requested I point out that Dom escaped last week’s report without it being mentioned he ran Alan out. No chance of that this week, as you’ll recall that Dom had already been bowled earlier…
Steve and Sam both came and went having looked to push the total on towards 200, and it fell to Mark and Alan to take the total beyond the 200 mark and claim the batting point, with Mark striking the final over for two boundaries off the opposition skipper, but the total falling 46 runs short.
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A tough match, in hot conditions and against a quality opposition side; some laxity in the field probably cost us along with difficulty finding the runs early on in our innings, with too much left to do in the last 10 overs, but another batting total of over 200, and wickets being found from a range of bowlers and in the field, says much for the general form the team is in overall – some you win, some you lose.
Next week, away against Eastleigh at Botley Rec., and here’s to a change in fortunes back to winning ways.
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Inanimate Object of the Match: since we seem to be doing this by acclaim now, the popular decision was that Man of the Match this week goes to Rob’s new bat… it having scored 63 in its first outing, apparently autonomously. Get your votes in now for what should happen to Rob’s old bat.
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Donut of the (Fri)Day: another popular acclaim vote this week it goes to Dom for losing his shirt… in his own cricket bag, which he searched twice, and had to be advised by Sam to search again. Yes, we were all thinking it, when we read Sam’s message telling him to have another look! As it turns out, third time’s the charm.
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Champagne Moment: this week it goes to Rob, for some pretty excellent fielding (though I say it myself) running out the opposition skipper.