CURDRIDGE vs Waterlooville II's - 2nd July 2022
Writers block has hampered the last couple of weeks match reports, which is ironic, as blocking would have been a welcome addition to our batsmen’s repertoire.
Onto challenges new though and Saturday saw a visit from second in the table, Waterlooville, who had then been super-charged as their first team fixture was cancelled so it was going to be a tough proposition for the Machine.
The standard pre-match rituals were employed with the opposition changed into their matching training gear, and going through an enthusiastic 45 minute warm up, whilst the Curdridge boys kept their powder dry, resting their already primed bodies for the challenge ahead.
Skipper did his bit and won the toss, and we took the opportunity for a bowl.
The first 22 overs were an even affair as young Del Candy and Super Sammy kept the batsman honest with an good contest between bat and ball.
A wicket arrived via a swift run out from Jack, and there were a couple of other tough chances that went begging.
Drinks arrived and the Waterlooville lads changed mode from respectful to smashee, smashee, as the Curdridge bowling took some hammer.
Rob bowled well without reward but Dom and Skipper took some punishment as the ball was dispatched around the ground.
Skipper looked round the field for more bowling options, but strangely given the carnage unfolding many of the candidate bowlers had developed niggling injuries the were preventing them from bowling
Credit to Jack who took on the challenge and got the ball past the bat on more than one occasion.
Chances came and went (particularly when they were near Punter), and the scoring rate was averaging ten an over for an hour or so.
Skipper snuck one through for a bit of respite but the batters kept whacking, Mark got another one, and Rob got a reward with a sharp stumping from new keeper ’Tiny’ Craig Charlesworth.
When the 45 overs were done, the scoreboard sat at 327-4, which was about par.
Rob Lee doubled down on his quality bowling with an excellent tea - it even had green stuff in the sandwiches!
Then Steve and Dom took up the challenge,
Steve is showing he is a consistent batsman with his second first baller in a row so Skipper strode out to join Dom with his second slice of swiss roll barely having reached his stomach.
​
A partnership was developing nicely before the trademark drive over point from Dom went more up than along and the Waterlooville boys took a good catch.
​
Skipper then missed one, Craig stood in front of one, and Punter got a first baller and the innings was wobbling again.
​
Mr Red Hat (Mark) then got the willow moving to get the tail wagging, and Rob joined him for a bit more progress,
​
With batting points on the horizon, nudge and run king Gary made his way to the middle and crashed a few welcome boundaries to get us another point, finishing on a brisk 34.
​
It was a day when the levels between the teams were obvious, but the Curdridge lads should be proud of how they stuck at it in the face of some quality batting.
​
These games won’t define the season, they will be in the weeks to come, and spirits remained high as the debrief followed in the bar,
​
Next Week
An international fixture, as Ventnor make the trip to the Lane - 1pm start
​
Man of the Match
Del, Sammy bowled good spells, Gary had an explosive knock at the end, but Rob never gave in today - Bowling an excellent spell of leg-spin, giving 100% in the field, and tenacious with the bat so he is the deserving winner this week.
​
Champagne moment
Not too many candidates - Skipper takes a nomination for ploughing a drive through point and straight into the opposition fielders pods, but Jack gets the bubbles this week with a sharp run out.
​
Donut of the Day
Nobody quite does stinkers like Punter as he played like someone who had been out till 2am drinking??? Dropped catches, mis-fields and a first baller means he is nailed on for Krispy Kreme’s this week