Willoughby CC v Napton CC

Report by Graham Line

After the mid-week 20/20 last ball victory over the touring side, Viscount CC, and the celebrations in the Victory Club that followed, there was bound to be a slight hangover in the air and this was reflected in the heavy rain clouds and showers that greeted Napton on their arrival to Willoughby. Luckily though the clouds thinned and the sun broke through and play was eventually started, the covers having done their work.

The toss was lost and Napton were put in to bat. Stuart and Callum opened the batting and both enjoyed some time at the crease until Callum was caught in the 16th over having scored 33 of the total of 69. Graham came and went in 2 balls and was replaced by Joe. Having scored the winning run on Thursday Joe continued his form into this match with his trademark big hitting. In contrast to Stuart holding steady at the other end, Joe punctuated the dots with 4s and 6s, both batters combining to keeping the scoreboard regularly moving along. In the 32nd and 33rd overs both reached their fifties, Joe going on to get 64 off 52 balls before eventually being caught in the 34th over. Gary smashed one ball (should have been a 4!) before being replaced by Mike who then sought to push the scoring on with Stuart, scoring off 10 of the 14 balls he received in amassing 19. He was replaced by Rob and then by James before Stuart sacrificed his wicket on the last ball of the innings trying for that elusive 3rd run, ending with 71 off 124 balls.

The innings finished with Napton on 217-7 after the allocated 40 overs.
Top scorers:
Stuart Alsop 71 runs 124 balls 9 boundaries
Joe Alsop 64 runs 52 balls 11 boundaries
Callum Tuck 33 runs 38 balls 6 boundaries
Mike Eadon 19 runs 14 balls 2 boundaries

Much of Willoughby’s bowling was tight and the bounce was variable, so this looked a very defendable total as the visitors enjoyed a good tea.

Willoughby’s two openers moved the score along before Joe caught a ‘skyer’ on the boundary off Gary’s bowling to remove their number 1 for 20. The replacement batter was enjoying reliving the cricket of his youth but unfortunately his hamstring was middle-aged and he retired hurt. Mike then removed the other opener (caught and bowled) bringing arguably Willoughby’s two best batsmen together. These two then moved the scoring along at the required rate and at drinks Willoughby looked well on course to reach Napton’s total. However, the phrase ‘catches win matches’ was never more apt. The first batter fell for 48 to a leading edge off Callum that lobbed to mid wicket to be met by a grateful and elated Matt (his face really was a picture when he looked into his hands to see that ball still there!). The next fell for 36 when Callum was edged to short third man/boy where James safely gathered the ball as he went to ground. Thereafter Willoughby were unable to offer much resistance, with the looming rain clouds offering the biggest threat to a Napton win, but the rain held off and Willoughby’s innings closed 36 runs short of Napton’s total.

Sam Sensecall 8 overs 1 maiden 2-20
Stuart Alsop 8 overs 3 maiden 0-34
Mike Eadon 6 overs 1 maiden 1-23
Callum Tuck 5 overs 0 maidens 2-17
Rob Pelter 5 overs 0 maidens 2-25
Gary Speller 4 overs 0 maidens 1-27
Rory Tuck ` 3 overs 0 maidens 0-28
James Pelter 1 over 0 maidens 0-3