After continual rain for virtually the whole of the previous 36 hours the chances of playing this match after the previous day’s washout looked slim. However thanks to the oppo’s artificial strip the match was able to go ahead as planned on what turned out to be a dry sunny afternoon.
Playing against a generally young Knowle side Ives batted first and after Malcolm departed early firstly Chris B (21) and Adrian 23 kept the score ticking. The tempo was increased by a returning ‘for one game only’ Nick James (21) and a cameo 32 from Andy C. It was during this that the presence of our very own Barmy Army supporters club became apparent. Made up of non playing opposition players sitting on the boundary they kept up a continual chant in support of the Ive’s throughout the afternoon which was much appreciated by all.
A quick fire 11 from Richard and with first Tim (12) and then Andy H (6)putting bat to ball at the end supported by Bob (19no) the innings closed on 170-8 from 40 overs.
With the constant support from the Barmy Army, Ciaran took a wicket with the first ball of the innings and with Adrian bowling a superb opening spell of 4 for 9 in 8 overs at the other end the opposition quickly found themselves 5 down with nothing to speak of on the score board. With two wickets for Andy H (2 for 9) the match seemed over with 20 overs to go with Knowle 7 down and only 50 on the board. However an 8th wicket stand for looked for a time that it might upset the result until Tim (1 for 26) nipped in with a wicket and Nick James finished off the opposition with two quick wickets as Knowle closed on 107 all out and a 63 run Ives win.