It seems a long time since Hambledon. For the two matches that were called off, we had two fantastic teams, different on the whole from the first two games of the season in terms of personnel. So it shows that we do have the numbers out there. Hopefully the season will continue in that form and thank you to those that made themselves available but have still yet to play.
On to Coombe Bissett after a night of thunderstorms both sides were keen to play. Fortunately the rain had stopped early enough for the puddles to drain away through the chalk. In fact the sun had been out all morning and a very warm day was brewing.
We won the toss and batted.
Hillier M and Jim Shea opened and crafted a solid foundation. The score was ticking along at about a boundary an over – too hot to run too much, before Jim was caught trying to up the rate in the eighth over for 9.
Damian came in at three but was soon on his way back continuing his weekend of disappointment, following Liverpool’s Champions League final.
Bertie looked eager from the start hitting a 4 first ball but departed soon after. Bowled by a low straight one.
In came our new Trojan recruit, Josh Hadsell, who had an air of Craddock about him and we were all expecting great things. The skipper had protected him, farming the strike with his inability to count to 6, so it wasn’t until about his third over that he was able to make an impact …he let go an absolute screamer. The ball was despatched with such ferocity that the mid-off let out a scream as the ball whistled through him as he just managed to raise a leg in desperate avoidance.
Unfortunately Josh succumbed too early to the talented 15 yr old leg spinner who bowled him through the gate.
Archie followed and he and his Dad put on a small partnership before he too was caught, trying to up the run rate.
This brought Campbell to the crease and with the skipper, confident in his partner, skewed one to cover and was out for 54.
Brazier joined Campbell and watched as Campbell set about the bowling knocking the ball to all parts of the ground. He at last fell to a good straight one for 53. Brazier then tried to steer the tail of Rinaldo, Dessie and Joe Stafford to a meaningful total but instead protected his average ignored the fact that it was an overs game and prepared for tea.
Robert looked good with his first shot which earned him a compliment from Braz. Unsettled by this he was caught behind two balls later.
Joe was due to come in next but Dessie (79) evergreen, ever keen padded up quicker and trotted out to the crease to keep Brazier company in those last swashbuckling overs. They did manage a run an over and we went in to tea 166-9 in our 40 overs.
Tea was a delight of sandwiches homemade cakes and a fine cup of tea.
The two Hillier boys opened up and once Archie got his line right bowled nicely in tandem.
The first wicket came in Bertie’s second over a strong appeal for LBW from bowler and keeper left the lady umpire in no doubt.
The bowling was shared around. Brazier first change bowled better in his first spell of three overs keeping it tight.
Josh came on and gave us some rasping off spin, which caused a few problems, not least for the keeper (me) and was rewarded with his first Rioteer wicket.
Campbell bowled well taking one wicket and having the keeper stand up, well outside his comfort zone!
It was time to bring on Rinaldo who had been doing a great job in the field.
With his action questioned early, the batsmen weren’t quite sure about him and his two overs only produced 6 runs – well bowled Robert.
In the field we had Joe Stafford on his toes being kept busy at square leg, Bertie covering a lot of ground looking threatening throwing in from the deep and Dessie standing at fly letting nothing through.
Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough and Coombe Bissett passed 167 for 4 with three overs to spare with Archie picking up a good wicket with his final spell .
We adjourned to the Fox and Goose and enjoyed the evening sunshine.