CURDRIDGE vs BISHOPS WALTHAM II'S - 22nd August 2020
The Machine made the short trip to local rivals Bishops Waltham II’s on Saturday confident after just missing out in a close encounter with Mansbridge the previous week that demonstrated that Curdridge are competitive at this new level.
A strong side was assembled blending new recruits and some very old ones, Del Boy only allowed to play once the wind had dropped below force 8 in case he lost his topknot.
Toss taken and faced with an astro track then bowl first was the skippers choice, however standard operating procedure followed, toss was lost and Curdridge were invited to have a bat.
Punter and Dimmy were chosen, and the standard was set from ball 1 as Punter crashed one to the cover boundary.
Things then became a little more sedate but wickets were kept in the hutch and as drinks approached the scorecard had passed 50 without loss.
A small wobble followed as both openers left the scene leaving Jay and Jack to make the most of the platform, accelerating the rate until Jay lobbed one up and Dave joined the worlds best net batsman in the crease.
If Jack could pick up any pitch and take it with him then it would be an astro as he clubbed the ball to all parts punishing the bowling as he made his way towards a fifty.
Jug evasion then occurred with Keogh castled on 49 but by now the scoreboard had rattled onto 164 as we approached the closing overs.
Dave then took the initiative and helped by some speedy running by Linford Bollard and Usain Leigh the innings finally close at a healthy 181-5.
DIY tea taken and Del boy safety installed at the top of his run, with new recruit James doing a slightly faster impression of Sir Candy at the other end and the Waltham Innings was under pressure from the start.
James claimed the first, trapped in front and Del then struck to remove the dangerous opener and Curdridge were making early progress.
Tight bowling from James in particular 6 overs for 7 runs limited the run rate and Dave was introduced to keep the pressure on with Dimmy tagging in at the top end.
Good fielding throughout the side backed up the bowlers as Waltham fell further behind the rate,
There was one exception with Punter spooning a catch at long on and following that up a few balls later. When the normal approach would be to pick the ball up and chuck it back, Punter decided instead he would volley it full beans towards the scoring table causing the assembled ladies to scurry for cover.
With wickets falling at regular intervals it soon became clear that there was only one batsman who was likely to get Waltham home.
Jay was the man though supported by a fine catch on the boundary by James to remove the well set batsman and that was the game for Curdridge as the home sides innings petering out to 153-7.
A fine all round performance and good momentum to take to the last game of the mini league vs Locks Heath at Reading Room Lane next Saturday.
Man of the Match: Keogh takes it for a well made 49 and a tidy session behind the stumps
Champagne Moment: Fine catch by James on the boundary
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Donut of the Day: Punter goes back to back following his Marilyn last week and his questionable fielding techniques this week.