Cowboys Lose Shoot-Out!

After a rain soaked victory in their opener the Merch returned to the familiar setting of Long Ashton for their second fixture of the 2019 season. Opponents this time were the Easton Cowboys, a team who the Merch had faced before with mixed results.

Bown won the toss and decided that if it ain't broke then it don't need fixing, choosing to bat first as in their opening victorious fixture. With the away side slightly under strength and the Merch squad bursting at the seams it was decided that Campbell would 'guest' for the oppo with an 11th 'rotating' fielder being supplied as a sign of good faith between the two teams.

Walker was joined by Frost in the middle to open the innings and things got off to a generally steady start. Frost tucked away a couple of boundaries with Walker playing the anchor role, nurdling the singles when the chance arose. Preash and Spavin had started well though and it was the former who picked up the first scalp.

Walker had a little dabble outside the off stump and despite it looking like he may have played a decent shot it was very sharply snaffled up by the slip fielder and the Merchman could count himself a little unlucky to fall.

Woolley was next in and got off to a decent beginning as he made his way to 14 with a couple of boundary fours included. With this in mind oppo skipper Spavin decided changes were required. It was quite a change to make with the pairing of Chris BS and Dave offering the settled Merch pair different kinds of problems.

Chris BS was bowling at a very decent pace and for all their efforts the two batsmen just couldn't keep the runs flowing. Perhaps with this tight spell tying them down slightly it was inevitable that the loopy action of the man at the other end would be the downfall.

It was indeed Dave who claimed the wicket as Woolley looped up a catch that was taken by the very safe hands of the Cowboy's 'ringer' Campbell, obviously desperate to get his name in the scorebook!

Shahin was next in and after a steady start he went big, a four and a six taking him quickly onto 15. That however was where he stayed as George claimed another scalp for the Cowboys. Moore joined Frost in the middle with the Merch opener now playing a very sensible anchor role in the circumstances. He perhaps therefore didn't appreciate running all the quick singles his partner wanted! It was OK in some ways though as with Moore also caught out Frost knew the quick singles may stop, small relief!

Carmichael knew overs were now at a premium and came out with that in mind quickly upping the run rate. Frost decided that with two overs left that was exactly the correct mindset, unfortunately this proved his downfall, bowled by Matt for a very impressive 42.

This just left skipper Bown to see the innings out with Carmichael who had provided a very useful 16 to add to the Merch total. That total stood at a combative if not spectacular 119-5.

The now familiar bowling partnership of Cooke and Shahin opened things up for the Merch. Shahin offered his usual dual threat of pace and accuracy from one end but unfortunately Cooke could only find one of those qualities from the other and found himself on the end of a number of wide calls from a very 'relaxed' umpire. Indeed he may have gone for a couple more but for some smart glovework from Walker.

With that in mind skipper Bown decided to change things round a bit, swapping himself into the attack for the Merch left-armer. He did however decide to squeeze another over out of Shahin and this was an inspired choice as not only did Shahin claim a wicket it was Cooke who assisted him, taking a very sharp catch between point & gully.

This brought Cowboys captain Spavin to the crease and the Merch men were under no illusions that this would be the prize wicket they needed if they were to defend their total.

Indeed this was looking more and more the case as Spav got going and before long with opener Arkins they had moved things along tidily and were well on their way to hunting down the Merch's par score.

What could possibly stop the pair? The skipper that's what! Bown found something inspired to bowl his opposite number for 31 and all of a sudden the Merch had a sniff. That smell of victory got stronger as a smart piece of fielding by the Merch main man saw Matt ran out.

However whilst opener Arkins was still out there the Cowboys were probably slim favourites to win this closely fought match. Bown looked around for more bowling options having bowled himself and Emmanuel straight through. He opted for Frost and Carmichael, both bowling at a lot slower pace than the Cowboys had been used to in the innings so far. Would this prove to be an inspired piece of captainship?

It was certainly starting to look that way as Frost finally removed Arkins, assisted by a catch from Woolley. This brought guest player Campbell out to some mild banter he must've been expecting. With the total in sight and still a few wickets to play with could he play the role of party-pooper?

Well it wasn't proving easy for Campbell to get some scoring shots away and perhaps with that in mind his partner Preash decided singles weren't what was required. With this in mind he set off for what looked like a safe second run. Nothing is safe when the ball is in the hands of Moore though! With only one stump to aim at and running in from the close boundary he took aim - BOOM!! The stumps crashed out of the ground and the Cowboys batsman couldn't believe the champagne moment he'd just witnessed!

This must surely be the match-swinging moment? Well with the away side only 12 runs short there was still a slight chance this wouldn't be the case. Enter Shahin with one over to spare. Picking up two wickets at minimal expense and seeing the Merchmen home to a well fought victory and a two in a row winning run!

Frost deservedly took home the Man of the Merch award as his bowling figures of 3-0-10-1 coupled with his 42 had formed the basis of the home teams win.