Fillongley Cricket Club

A much improved performance against Handsworth on Saturday, but in the end our visitors took the win. Given the rain it’s amazing that we got the game on. Credit to JC there. Given the soggy outfield I’m not sure we would have played in a sunny summer but there is a will to put up with a lot in order to play. We were put in (I think) and made 170-8 in the full 50 overs. A pretty good score given the slow outfield. Dan Smith was the main man, batting 36 overs for 55. It was a great effort from a player making his first appearance in the first team this year. Other contributions came from Reg with 34 and Waq 29. We had a bit of help as a result of iffy fielding. With all respect that side of the game isn’t a big strength for Handsworth.

Carby Dawkins has 291 runs to his name in his three appearances at Fillongley, so it was a bit of a downer when he was put down first ball by Junior off his own bowling. This time we weren’t punished as he lasted only until the seventh ball of the over. Ernie Ramsey took over and played an innings which included some big blows but played respect to good balls. Almost no runs were coming from the other end in the first part of the innings, but partnerships were the key and we didn’t get Ramsey out till a point where Handsworth needed 48 off 15 overs. There was a wobble at 141 when three wickets fell in three balls. First a one handed pick up and throw by Dan Smith ran out Weinand, who had played the anchor role, and then two lbw decisions for Junior. He finished with five wickets. Only one more success though. Anton Johnson, who is a top bat in my book, saw his team home confidently.

Seconds and thirds were off, but the Sunday friendly against Southam was played. Nice to see Aaron back to making runs. His unbeaten 101 saw us through to a 30 run win. Form is temporary, as Brian Clough once said.

Cards are on Play Cricket.