Concorde v Sheen Park

Match Report

When the opposition arrive as one, on time and resplendent in sponsored shirts and caps, you know they have brought a strong team and the skipper knew it was going to be a tough afternoon on a rather sweltering afternoon.

We won the toss and chose to Bat.

John Wilson and Jody Mycroft got us underway facing some tough bowling at both ends. A young M George sent the ball down to them around 70mph and was complemented by some medium paced and accurate bowling from the other end. Nonetheless, bad balls were dispatched by both and most of those eased to the boundary for 4’s. Jody sadly drove one straight to mid off who plucked it low from the ground and was gone for 12. Phil (The Power) Hall was next to the crease, having volunteered late on with various injuries to make up the numbers. He seemed a little uncomfortable with the pace from M George and sadly after one 4, was bowled. Nick F then joined John W and both played wonderful straight cricket bringing the tally along nicely. Nick however, fell to a wonderful catch on 23. Eddie joined John and they saw off the openers and started to enjoy some of the slower change bowling. John W after a fantastic resilient innings fell for 20 but had done his job in style. Chris ‘Vespa’ Jones then joined Edgar and was able to claim 3 runs before falling lbw to one he may have nightmares about for some time to come! Ish came to the crease having not had much time batting hitherto but looked very comfortable playing some carefully selected shots and getting a fine 19 before being bowled. Next came the skipper, he was quickly into his stride with 5 boundaries slotted away until missing a straight one on 21. Scott Fern got his first couple of runs for Concorde and Luca opened his account with a powerful blast back over the bowlers head which fell just short of a 6 after instructions to take it easy. We finished on 192 on time for tea.

Janet & Celia had helped prepare a most delightful spread!

Having watched our opposition stretch out in a rather professional way before the first innings it was said ‘that’s what we should do!’….

The skipper took the top end and 4th ball found both line and length making a nervous opener loft the ball high in the air. Skip turned and had what appeared a simple catch, but sadly it was dropped. To make matters worse,in a valiant attempt to redeem himself, he threw down the stumps at the bowlers end only to find that the non striker had never left his crease. The Striker having been stranded in no mans land was able to complete a leisurely return to safety behind his own crease. Skip fell to his knees praying the ‘Village cricket’ camera wasn’t watching for millions to enjoy. The striker, having been reprieved, went on to score a solid 45.

John W bowled a solid line & length 8 overs 1 wicket for 30. Jerry W bowled a very tight 6 overs 1 wicket for 20 runs. Scott fern also took his first Concorde wicket but Sheen were too strong for us this year and took home a comfortable victory before 20 overs had started having lost only 4 wickets.

Catches win matches….and ‘stretching out’ (for the over 30’s) were the two thoughts for consideration before next Sunday!