The Mote 4s fall just short away to Cobham 2s

Team: S.Buckland, A.Bone, M.Prudence, H.Buckland (WK), L.Bone (C), N.Pereira, R.Adams, J.Watersom, G.Bone, A.Waterson

Result: Loss

Summary: The Mote as a whole have tricky week for selection and availability. The 4th team head away to Cobham with just 10 men and lose the toss and are asked to bowl first. Lewis Bone and Martin Prudence opened the bowling with a good start as many dot balls were bowled and Lewis Bone’s first 2 overs were maidens and the pressure built causing a run out from the throw of Nathan Pereira. Other than one or two drop catches the fielding was of a high level considering there were only ten men in the field. Nathan Pereira bowled well in patches but bowled 8 wides within his 7 over spell. As a pattern the extras were far too high compared to normal 4th team performances. This may have gone on to cost us the game, but there were many factors that contributed to that. 24 extras were conceded. Rob Adams bowled one or two expensive overs as he bowled in the death, probably a bowler light but he was the pick of the bowlers after Lewis Bone’s early wicket Rob took 4 and Lewis went on to take one in the final spell. The Mote took 7 wickets and were set 204 to chase down. The highlight of the game without a doubt was the inform Alex Bone having the season of his life finding himself as a great opening partner for Steve Buckland, both of which have contributed to a lot of the runs for the side this season. Alex Bone got his first league 50 in dramatic quick hitting fashion and hit a 6 into the tree at the far corner and got himself to 97 before the ball popped up on the pitch and ended up back in the bowler’s hand. Martin Prudence also looked comfortable at the crease with Alex Bone until he knocked the ball down for it to back spin onto his stumps and he couldn’t get down quick enough to get it out the way, Martin got a solid 27 runs but this was the changing point in the game as up to this point the Mote were sailing to victory and from this point on every other batsman got in and got out not providing the final few runs needed for victory. This has been the case the last 2 weeks falling short in a good chase. But from experience in the Mote 4th team over the years 192 runs scored in a 4th team game is a success and hopefully we will keep taking the positive mindset we have, picking up the bonus points and soon the wins will come back again, still 5th in the league, but not far from the top or the bottom.

Highlights: R.Adams 4-58, L.Bone 2-38 & A.Bone 97, M.Prudence 27