SATURDAY XI v SARISBURY - 30th July 2016
Curdridge travelled to Stubbington Rec on Saturday looking to bounce back from the previous weeks disappointment.
​
Skipper did his bit - won the toss and put the opposition in.
​
Del and David opened up, but were faced with some stiff opposition from the Sarisbury openers who dug in, until David found the edge and Jack took a stunner behind the stumps - it might have been a bit easier had Jack not slipped as moved towards the ball but an outstanding one handed grab made up for that.
​
Del trapped the number 3 in front of his stumps and dispatched the next batsman, bowled first ball.
​
Locks Heath then built a strong partnership, and whilst Curdridge’s bowling remained tight and the fielding backed up the bowlers, at drinks the score had moved onto 60-3, with a potential platform for Sarisbury to push on and set a challenging target.
​
Luke then came to the party and removed the dangerous left handed opener - caught behind, and bowled the incoming batsman next ball - 60-5 looked a much better position for Curdridge.
​
A larger than life character then appeared at the crease and proceeded to ‘moo' a few round the ground, but wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end to keep the score in check,
​
Luke picked up 2 more wickets to end with a 4-for before Edwards Senior fired up the engine to remove the tail in combination with 2 further fine catches behind the stumps from Jack, a feat made even more impressive as glasses had to be removed mid spell, and success was only achieved by aiming at the middle set of stumps of the three he could see.
​
Innings was closed with Sarisbury all out for 96.
​
David and Chris opened up, and were faced with pace from one end, and a lack of it from the other,
​
A good start was made before Chris succumbed to an edge behind and Mick Hiller limped to the crease,
Another fluid partnership followed with some slow singles combined with dispatched boundaries taking the score onto 66 before Mike missed a straight one.
​
Alan then strode to the crease and clearly had a hot date lined up as he didn’t waste any time in biffing the ball to all parts to complete the job at a canter. Credit also to David with a patient 38 not out.
​
Man of the Match: Luke has the honourable mention with 4-12, but Jack takes it with 4 quality catches behind the sticks and no penalty runs for his helmet this week.
Champagne Moment: Jack does the double next week, as he put his body on the line to stop Del’s quicker one - with his box. Unfortunately though for Jack he hadn’t remembered to put his box on - cue much hilarity as Jack trooped off to the pavilion to ‘count them’ and find suitable protection - a lesson I am sure he will only learn once.
Next week - Back home vs Langley Manor, 2pm start, all are welcome!