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Mellis v Yoxford

Mellis v Yoxford

Nigel Binks19 Jul 2020 - 09:18
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https://www.yoxfordcc.co.uk/ne

Defeat but some promising performances

With Yoxford fielding two sides on Saturday, they split the squad between the games and the side sent to Mellis had a tough afternoon. In blistering conditions, Yoxford bowled first and opened the bowling with the two youngest members of the side, Samuel Binks and Evie Booker. Evie in particular, started well bowling good lines and was unlucky not to take an early wicket when her brother Harry dropped a sharp chance in the covers. At the first 'cleaning break' after six overs (one of many safety measures that now need to be put into place due to Covid 19), Mellis only had 13 runs on the board. First change bowler Thomas Bond made the breakthrough having opener, Box, caught behind by skipper Jamie Thurston. Mellis' numbers 2 and 3 batsmen then took the attack to the Yoxford bowlers, scoring quickly on both sides of the wicket. At the halfway stage, a score in excess of 300 looked possible. But with both batsmen retiring just after passing fifty, coupled with the return of the opening bowlers, the run rate dropped. Evie collected a deserved wicket when a top edge was skied to Thurston. Then, just 2 overs later, she grabbed a second thanks to a good catch from Harry Taylor to finish with figures of 8-2-36-2. Leg-spinner Joe Booker returned to the attack grabbing a wicket with his first ball, Thurston with the stumping, before Harry Booker claimed two late wickets including one off the final ball of the innings (Thurston's 4th dismissal) to finish with figures of 8-0-48-2.
With a large total to chase, Yoxford were determined not to make it easy for Mellis and openers Thurston and Joe Booker started solidly before Joe fell in the eighth over for 3. Terry Booker joined Jamie at the crease and took the score beyond 50 before Terry fell for 12. Despite always being behind the run-rate, Yoxford were making it hard for Mellis to make a breakthrough and after 30 overs, they were on 106-3. Thurston retired soon afterwards for a patient and chanceless 50 and some solid batting at the end from Charlie Throp (16) and Evie Booker (11*) saw Yoxford finish on 163-7.
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