April 2014

An excellent match played in good spirit but unfortunately lost with only 2 balls of the match to go.

On another cold blustery day Ives won the toss and elected to bat with Den and Andy H leading off. Andy went after a quick 9 but Den (30) batted on with Bob, who was to remain unbeaten on 46 at the close as they put on 37 for the 2nd wicket and then Bob and Phil P (21) put on 61 for the 3rd to take the score to 121 for 3 allowing Richard and Ciaran (9) to raise the Ives score to 166 for 5 at the close.

Ives took the field a bowler down after Richard was accidentally hit on the head by a stray throw whilst batting and was unable to field (no lasting damage and will be back next week!) and that was to prove the difference as despite a good start with Andy H taking 3 for 14 in his 8 overs and Ciaran bowling a tight opening spell, and fine catches from Matthew, Den, Ciaran, Phil P(2)and Bob behind the stumps, Uxbridge recovered thanks to 62 from Bader and 28 from Tinsley. Lawrence came back to take 2 for 19 in 7 overs and Den 1 for 25 in 6 with Matthew taking 2 wickets as Uxbridge were 8 down before the winning hit with 2 balls to go.

A typically cold & windy first match welcomed in the new season with Ives taking the field on a remarkably hard wicket bearing in mind the rain of a few weeks ago.

Ashford started well scoring at more than 6 an over for the first 10 overs as Andy H and Ciaran opened the season, but with the introduction of Lawrence and Richard an element of control was established as Richard bowled an excellent spell of 8 overs 2 for 22 and Lawrence 6 overs 1 for 34 and the scoring rate fell away as Ashford were reduced to 88 for 4. As they regrouped there were wicket each for Matthew and Denis and with Andy H coming back to finish the innings and take his first wicket of the season and Ciaran chipping in as well the Ashford innings closed on 186 for 8 after 40 overs. Mention must also be made of fine catches by Joe, and Adrian behind the stumps, and a brilliant run out by Matthew with a direct hit from close to the boundary.

In reply 2 wickets fell quickly for 14 before Richard and Den put on 20 for the third wicket. More wickets then fell regularly and it was left to Ciaran (22) and Earle (8) with a stand of 34 to bring up the 100 and respectability to the score as the innings closed on 119 all out.

A loss but encouraging performances in the field on a cold day and with more to come from the batsmen as the season warms up.