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Wed 14 Sep 2016
First TeamStreat & Westmeston
136/2
134d
Crescent win comfortably at fourth attempt to secure ‘World Series’ against Streat.
Jon Morris15 Sep 2016 - 18:55
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Streat 134. Bailey 48, M Wood 3-22 Crescent 136-2. Morris 46, Eastwood 34, Newcombe 32*
On yet another fantastic September afternoon, Crescent welcomed their old adversaries Streat to the fourth and final contest of the season. With the previous 3 matches being drawn, bragging rights were definitely up for grabs.
With the weather set so fair, it was no surprise when Stan won the toss and opted to bat first. With my ‘centurion plus’ openers of Watts and Brown primed and raring to go, the game started cautiously with only 7 runs coming off the first 7 overs. The departure of Flower caught by Rob Eastwood off Mike saw the arrival of Bailey who made his intentions clear by hitting his first delivery to the boundary for four. By the time Mike had taken his second wicket the scoring rate had increased to 5 an over with Bailey looking set for a big score. With a change needed Dmitry and Matt Wood were introduced. Dmitry has always been a partnership breaker for me and he dropped onto a full line and length straight away. Matt is experimenting with little seamers so with the combination of good field placement and full (mainly) bowling, boundaries were less easy to find. Dmitry picked up a wicket half way through his spell and then the fourth and what turned out to be the key to the rest of the Streat innings, was that of Bailey caught by me off Matt at deep mid-off, it went up a very long way!!! With 24 overs gone and at 85-4 the game was well poised. We knew from recent efforts that 180 has become a par score at Horsdean, but a combination of good bowling and catching and some poor shot selection saw Streat falter. Matt picked up a further two wickets and was good value for his 3-22. A double bowling change saw the introduction of Kevin Rice and Simon Wood. Kevin immediately took the wicket of Chris Fullerton, a chap who has scored many runs against us in the past. Similarly Simon with the aid of Terry, struck early with a smart stumping. The final Streat wickets saw us being entertained by Stan and his unorthodox batting style but he was finally last out caught by Kevin at deep leg slip and their innings concluded on 134. A modest total, but one that the Crescent were more than capable of cocking up!
Another large spread had been prepared by Ossie and Rick and the contents was tucked into with vigour by all.
I had decided that Rob and I would open the innings and we reached 20 in quick time with Rob punishing some wayward Streat bowling. Britt and Fullerton then tightened their line and with a bit more luck could have had a wicket or two. The momentum began to swing our way once more with a few aerial shots and by the first drinks interval we had reached 50 off fifteen overs. The runs continued to flow post drinks and after looking well set Rob picked out Bailey in the outfield for a well-constructed 34 out of 72. Mike Newcombe joined me, a guest and familiar friend from Lindfield. Mike has a no nonsense style of batting and was soon amongst the runs, driving smoothly through the off-side. Although not bowling badly, Streat were unable to apply any real pressure and so with plenty of overs to go and 120 on the board, the anticipated arrival of Stan finally arrived. Now I have played against Stan many times and have perished, like others to his gently paced grenades usually due to indecision about what shot to play, where to hit him and how hard! So with all that experience you would think I should have known better? Well you would be wrong, as I fell LBW plumb in front first ball – well and truly Spiegaled!!! If Stan thought it was to be the beginning of a Crescent collapse I’m afraid that glimmer of hope was short lived, with Terry doing the necessary in quick time. So an emphatic win in the end for Crescent with everyone chipping in along the way – well done to all.
Next match is home to Patcham Utd this Saturday followed by curry and beer! I think Simon may be one or two short so if anybody has some late availability please get in touch with him asap.
Final game is away to Rustington on 25th. Please ensure Geoff knows your availability to avoid disappointment.
Jon.
With the weather set so fair, it was no surprise when Stan won the toss and opted to bat first. With my ‘centurion plus’ openers of Watts and Brown primed and raring to go, the game started cautiously with only 7 runs coming off the first 7 overs. The departure of Flower caught by Rob Eastwood off Mike saw the arrival of Bailey who made his intentions clear by hitting his first delivery to the boundary for four. By the time Mike had taken his second wicket the scoring rate had increased to 5 an over with Bailey looking set for a big score. With a change needed Dmitry and Matt Wood were introduced. Dmitry has always been a partnership breaker for me and he dropped onto a full line and length straight away. Matt is experimenting with little seamers so with the combination of good field placement and full (mainly) bowling, boundaries were less easy to find. Dmitry picked up a wicket half way through his spell and then the fourth and what turned out to be the key to the rest of the Streat innings, was that of Bailey caught by me off Matt at deep mid-off, it went up a very long way!!! With 24 overs gone and at 85-4 the game was well poised. We knew from recent efforts that 180 has become a par score at Horsdean, but a combination of good bowling and catching and some poor shot selection saw Streat falter. Matt picked up a further two wickets and was good value for his 3-22. A double bowling change saw the introduction of Kevin Rice and Simon Wood. Kevin immediately took the wicket of Chris Fullerton, a chap who has scored many runs against us in the past. Similarly Simon with the aid of Terry, struck early with a smart stumping. The final Streat wickets saw us being entertained by Stan and his unorthodox batting style but he was finally last out caught by Kevin at deep leg slip and their innings concluded on 134. A modest total, but one that the Crescent were more than capable of cocking up!
Another large spread had been prepared by Ossie and Rick and the contents was tucked into with vigour by all.
I had decided that Rob and I would open the innings and we reached 20 in quick time with Rob punishing some wayward Streat bowling. Britt and Fullerton then tightened their line and with a bit more luck could have had a wicket or two. The momentum began to swing our way once more with a few aerial shots and by the first drinks interval we had reached 50 off fifteen overs. The runs continued to flow post drinks and after looking well set Rob picked out Bailey in the outfield for a well-constructed 34 out of 72. Mike Newcombe joined me, a guest and familiar friend from Lindfield. Mike has a no nonsense style of batting and was soon amongst the runs, driving smoothly through the off-side. Although not bowling badly, Streat were unable to apply any real pressure and so with plenty of overs to go and 120 on the board, the anticipated arrival of Stan finally arrived. Now I have played against Stan many times and have perished, like others to his gently paced grenades usually due to indecision about what shot to play, where to hit him and how hard! So with all that experience you would think I should have known better? Well you would be wrong, as I fell LBW plumb in front first ball – well and truly Spiegaled!!! If Stan thought it was to be the beginning of a Crescent collapse I’m afraid that glimmer of hope was short lived, with Terry doing the necessary in quick time. So an emphatic win in the end for Crescent with everyone chipping in along the way – well done to all.
Next match is home to Patcham Utd this Saturday followed by curry and beer! I think Simon may be one or two short so if anybody has some late availability please get in touch with him asap.
Final game is away to Rustington on 25th. Please ensure Geoff knows your availability to avoid disappointment.
Jon.
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