Concorde v Wibbandune CC

Match Report

​Dillydallying and darkness put damper on game.

We enjoyed a bright day, although chilly, & definitely jumper weather! The scheduled 12:30 start was ignored by the opposition who all arrived late so it ultimately started at 1.10pm. Jerry tossed up with Ray, the opposition skipper, at about 12.45pm, when Wibbandune had about 2 players on site and on winning the toss they elected to field! We had 12 to their 11, so Jerry stood down and nominated Edgar as skipper for the day.

Edgar and Nikhil opened the Concorde innings against some very decent line and length bowling by the opposition opening bowlers. Edgar was his usual swashbuckling self, cracking boundaries around the ground and hitting the bowlers back over their head, until he was caught behind off a good ball falling for 33. Nick Freeman arrived at the crease and departed just as quickly for a brief 5 being bowled, and then Josh was caught for 1, after facing a barrage of short pitched bowling.

This bought Adam to the crease, who along with Nikhil, took the score to 130 before Adam was bowled for 16. Brandon strode to the crease oozing confidence after his recent good form, but was also caught for 5 by the opening bowler. Sensing that our recognised batting was running out, Nikhil began to step up the pace. After a carefully constructed 30 odd ,he launched a much needed counter attack bringing up yet another very good 50 with some lovely ball striking . With well placed shots over the top, and brutal drives for 4, he pushed the Concorde innings to a respectable total, aided by an improving Will Stewart, who is starting to find some form with the bat. Nikhil’s innings came to an end at 68, bringing Matt Hallam to the crease, for a brief 6 and finally Nigel Wright, who was bowled for a glorious golden duck. The Concorde innings reached 175 for 8 off 37 overs at tea.

The Wibbandune reply began with their openers faffing around again and wasting more time. Finally Under way the innings began with tight bowling from both ends from Adam and Josh keeping the batsman quiet and runs were scarce. Josh made the breakthrough bowling the bearded opener, who departed without troubling the scorer, with stumps out of the ground. Sadly Adam asked to be taken off after 3 overs as he had hurt his back and could not continue to bowl. Josh however was running in and generating some serious pace, & he bowled the other opener for 14, with the Wibbandune score at 18. The number 3 was run out with some great all round fielding for 6. Brandon and Matt were bowling reasonably well but were unable to make the breakthrough until Brandon, in his last over, had Abbas, the number 5 chip a ball to Nikhil. The frustrating part was that Jinaid, the number 4, was slowly building his innings, every so often giving a chance that was not taken. Most frustrating was the fact that his flashing drive was dropped by George at 5th slip!

The chance still stinging his hand, George was bought on to bowl and in his first over had Amir, the number six caught by Will at cover (in a very similar fashion to the last match). At the other end, Matt was replaced with Nikhil who bowled very well Both spin bowlers were intent on bowling the side towards the win, with both picking up another wicket. The score was now 136 for 7, and we sensed victory but were now racing against time in fast fading light. Due to the incessant faffing around by the opposition both during their fielding and their innings, the game was virtually played into darkness. There was one last bright spark before dark as Ed brought himself on to bowl his leg spin soon having Sohail, the number 9, dance down the pitch only to miss the ball to be duly stumped by Nick.

With the last 20 overs completed, the game ended in a frustrating draw, with Wibbandune on 148-8 in reply to Concorde’s 175. If only we had started on time it could have produced that elusive win!