Lost by 5 wkts
Without exception, at 2:30 pm all the side were looking to go home and spend a day with family, as the weather was appalling. It was very hard to imagine that we would get in any cricket, yet alone a full 30 overs a side game. But at 3:15 Arun began their innings, in very blustery wind, on a pitch that was miles from the pavilion.
It really was bleak at the beginning and clouds were always threatening, but gradually the day brightened. Our innings was dominated once again by Sam with a score of 45; Dave Groves and Jugs pitched in with valuable scores, but we struggled to reach the kind of total that would be defendable against a fairly strong home side. However, we limped home to a score of 102-8, and after a team talk from Laurie, the side took to the field determined to make Worthing scrap for every run.
As a bowling unit we stuck superbly to the job from the start, never really allowing the game to run away from us, despite not getting the elusive early wickets. On a wicket that produced plenty of bounce, both the opening bowlers gave Worthing plenty to think about. With the need to get a breakthrough, Monty was brought in to the attack early, and his spell of 6 overs yielded two wickets for just 13 runs. This all but stopped the home side in there tracks, but we were unable to apply that extra bit of pressure and, despite a further 3 wickets falling, Worthing reached the target off 22 overs, in fading light and drizzle.
There really is no need for me to add any spin on our performance in the field. We kept to the task admirably with notable contributions. Sam had a terrific day behind the stumps, with 3 stumpings and a catch. His first stumping off Monty was sheer class, the perfect example of bowler and keeper combining to great effect. Laurie pitched in with 2 late wickets, which, along with his adoption of the cross bat heave, showed signs of a return to form. Monty carried on his good work from the Littlehampton game and troubled the batsmen throughout, conceding just 2 runs per over and, with luck, may have snared a couple more victims to take him to the 100 club wickets.
Overall though, a thoroughly pleasing performance, despite the result.
Without exception, at 2:30 pm all the side were looking to go home and spend a day with family, as the weather was appalling. It was very hard to imagine that we would get in any cricket, yet alone a full 30 overs a side game. But at 3:15 Arun began their innings, in very blustery wind, on a pitch that was miles from the pavilion.
It really was bleak at the beginning and clouds were always threatening, but gradually the day brightened. Our innings was dominated once again by Sam with a score of 45; Dave Groves and Jugs pitched in with valuable scores, but we struggled to reach the kind of total that would be defendable against a fairly strong home side. However, we limped home to a score of 102-
As a bowling unit we stuck superbly to the job from the start, never really allowing the game to run away from us, despite not getting the elusive early wickets. On a wicket that produced plenty of bounce, both the opening bowlers gave Worthing plenty to think about. With the need to get a breakthrough, Monty was brought in to the attack early, and his spell of 6 overs yielded two wickets for just 13 runs. This all but stopped the home side in there tracks, but we were unable to apply that extra bit of pressure and, despite a further 3 wickets falling, Worthing reached the target off 22 overs, in fading light and drizzle.
There really is no need for me to add any spin on our performance in the field. We kept to the task admirably with notable contributions. Sam had a terrific day behind the stumps, with 3 stumpings and a catch. His first stumping off Monty was sheer class, the perfect example of bowler and keeper combining to great effect. Laurie pitched in with 2 late wickets, which, along with his adoption of the cross bat heave, showed signs of a return to form. Monty carried on his good work from the Littlehampton game and troubled the batsmen throughout, conceding just 2 runs per over and, with luck, may have snared a couple more victims to take him to the 100 club wickets.
Overall though, a thoroughly pleasing performance, despite the result.
(Sorry -
Worthing Gents 6 july 2008
