June 2015

Despite  a valiant effort by the bowlers the lack of depth of the Ives bowling on the day was exposed in this time game as after reducing Golden Age to 92 for 6 at one point the runs flowed in the latter part of the innings as the oppo chalked up 240 for 9 at tea, Mention must go to Matthew who opened with Andy H and took the first 2 wickets, ending up with 3 for 57 in his 10 overs, Andy H taking 2 for 41, Adrian 1 for 48, Saqib 1 for 53 and, in the latter part of the innings, Earle 1 for 28.

Not much to be said about the batting except for Richard who scored  a rapid 67 and looked very much on  or three figures before getting out, Of the rest only Matthew (18) and Earle (13no) made double figures as Ives succumbed to 136 all out.

Following an excellent but windy Friday night at Bath Races where one or two came out in front, the story of the two matches that followed was one of not scoring enough runs to put the opposition under any real pressure.

Playing what he says was his last game Lawrence (19) opened against Western Flyers on Saturday with Phil P (18) and after an opening stand of 33 and 23 from Richard, at 67 for 3 a competitive total looked achievable. Unfortunately from there wickets fell regularly with only Phil K (17) putting up any real resistance as the innings closed at a disappointing 125.

In reply despite 3 early wickets and Lawrence bowling 8.2 overs,1 for 38, and Adrian taking 2 for 26, the opposition easily made their target for the loss of only 3 wickets.

The story repeated itself on Sunday against Shirehampton at a lovely ground close to the Avon Gorge. Lacking depth in bowling due to a shoulder problem for Richard, Ives batted first and quickly found themselves 3 for 2 with Bob & Den back in the pavilion.  Richard with the help of guest player Ian started to steady the ship but after Ian’s departure and Richard going for a patient 29 again the batting, apart from Matthews cameo innings of 17 at the end, folded as the innings closed on 118.

Wickets were hard to come by in the Shirehampton innings with only Andy H and Den having any success as they easily achieved the win for the loss of only two wickets.

Tour highlight – Adrian’s emergency comfort break stop in a field on the way to the races on Friday evening,

So despite the results an excellent tour and thanks go to Phil P for all the hard work that went into arranging it.