Narrow defeat at Roadrunners for the cricketers
Match report by Andy Mayhew.
On a dark and overcast day we headed to deepest Bedfordshire, even Dave Nanton was early so the omens were good. Roadrunners opted to bat on a damp looking pitch and the Baker soon got an early wicket. Apart from their opening batsman Chauhan(59) all their other batsman struggled on a tricky pitch and slow outfield, and we managed to keep the run rate down to about 3 an over. We took wickets at regular intervals, bowled tight and fielded well for a change. Wickets were evenly spread, Wath took a good catch and Tony “They won’t run a quick single to me“, ran out one of their tubbier batsman with a bullet throw from the gulley. Roadrunners finished on 128-7 but I don’t think we appreciated quite how difficult that it was going to be.
I opened with Mr Scones and for once the cricket gods were on my side as I had 2 early lives (Ed – Seemed like more than 2 !!). Mr Scones departed early but more worryingly so did Lui and Damien (a personal aside to the cricket gods, please stop giving Mr Scones unplayable deliveries, it’s not fair!!!) I started to play better but runs from both ends were coming in 1’s and 2’s rather than boundaries. A succession of partners contributed single figures leaving us slightly below the run rate. D.T. managed to injure himself again but Damian did a good job as a runner. The turning point was when Chauhan came on to bowl towards the end, bowling quickly and very miserly (Ed – and in worsening light !!). Dave Nanton (16) hit a few lusty blows, I got my first 50 in donkeys’ years but frustratingly we ended up 10 runs short of victory. Obviously disappointing to get so close but the bowling and fielding was great from everybody and with Lui and Damian departing cheaply we probably did well to get so close.
Man of the Match: Me obviously, a grateful nation salutes a return to form for both me and Matt Prior.
Champagne Moment: Mr Scones for eating twice as many scones as runs he scored ( 4 to 2)
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