Concorde v Millfields

Match Report

ANOTHER 5 WICKETS HAUL FOR NIKHIL AND HALF CENTURY FOR JORDY – ALMOST!

It was with some relief that, after a two week break forced upon us through lack of players, we were able to announce a strong line up for our annual fixture against Millfields who are amongst out most competitive opponents. It was nice also to be able to welcome back Andy Marshall, Chris Turvill, Matt Hallam and Simon Duke who for various reasons have not been able to play previously this season but who would certainly be in our strongest 11, were we ever to actually field such a side!

With a slightly spongy wicket, on winning the toss, Jerry Wright had little hesitation in sticking to a time honoured local formula of inviting the opposition to take first knock, reasoning that, as it dried, the wicket grow progressively easier to bat on.

In fact, Millfields made the wicket very easy to bat on as there openers set off at a cracking pace such that a score of 250 plus looked very much on the cards. Simon Duke bowled with considerable effort and generated great pace through the air but the slow nature of the wicket drew his teeth somewhat and anything slightly short or over pitched was dispatched. Matt Hallam too bowled well but with similar results and it was not until the introduction of the old warhorse, Cudders that the opening batsmen went the way of 485 others by misjudging Ian’s pace and lofting one to deep mid on where Nikhil made no mistake.

After 6 overs, Ian gave way to Nikhil who, as ever, fell right on a length and batting became a very difficult proposition. Having gallantly bowled into the wind for 4 overs, an obvious blunder by the Captain, Dukie came on at the other end and immediately took a smart caught and bowled. After another 4 overs, George replaced Dukie and though struggling to find a length for a few overs, the two spinners wheeled away with Nikhil steadily picking up wickets at his end.

Having battled our way back into the match and looking as though we were in good shape for chasing 160, the Millfields no 3 played an excellent innings batting almost all the way through to make a fine 60 while steadily losing partners at the other end to Nikhil who finished with yet another 5 wicket haul being aided once again by a very smart catch off his ankles by Jordy at Mid off. George in his eight overs also picked up a wicket but the Millfields score, when the innings ended on the stroke of 4.15 was, from our point of view, a slightly disappointing 199.

Having jokingly threatened Edgar with the ultimate sanction of being dropped if he did not perform, he came out of the traps after tea like Jason Roy smashing anything within reach to the boundary and off what was some of the quickest and best opening bowling we have seen this season. With Jordy slightly more circumspect but no less hard on the loose ball, the score positively bounded along and it was actually something of a surprise when the first wicket fell at 58 with Edgar being bowled for an excellent 29. Nikhil seemed to have taken a dose of whatever Edgar was on as he too set about the bowling smiting 2 huge sixes down the ground and another over midwicket and he looked so well set that, again, it was a surprise when he was caught for a swift 29. All this time, Jordy was batting in his very solid and reliable way, putting away the bad ball and looking every inch the quality batsman that he is and with Andy at the wicket and Chris Turville to come and the score on 100 – 2, a good win looked on the cards.

However with 120 needed off the last 20 the pressure was very much on and wickets began to tumble. Andy was caught for 6, Chris Turvill bowled for 7 Jordy for an excellent 49 and after a brief flourish from Simon Duke including a massive six over square leg, when his wicket fell for 17 and the score on 151, the target began to look out of reach. With 50 needed off 7 overs, Jerry Wright, now at the crease, issued the order to batten down the hatches before inexplicably disobeying his own orders, and aiming a huge blow over square leg and being adjudged LBW. Exit a red faced skipper! Fortunately Matt Hallam showed greater composure in preserving his wicket and George showed total security and unflappability in playing out the final over from the fastest Millfield bowler with aplomb.

A slightly disappointing end to a match played in an excellent spirit with some cricket of the highest standard from both sides. A pleasure to play in and we look forward to their return in 2020.