May 2016

First, it was great to have Andy C back after his sabbatical and hopefully this was the first of many more games to come for him.

As to the match after losing the toss on a blustery day at Mayfield and being put in the field, this was arguably decided by a first wicket partnership of 53 on what was an unpredictable wicket, not helped by a couple of difficult chances going down in the field.

After Richard broke the opening stand with a spell of 2 for 1 in 5 overs, Adrian bowling unchanged for the remainder of the innings from the top end took 5 for 34 in 14 overs, aided by good catches for Richard,  Andy H and Prasad and with Prasad (1 for 19) and Saqib (2 for 13) at the other end picking up  3 wickets between them the remaining 9 wickets fell for only 79 runs to leave Mayfield on 129 all out from overs.

After an excellent tea, Ives never really got to grips with the wicket with only Adrian (20) and Richard (13) making double figures as we were bowled out for 77 in only 27 overs which although we could have done better was possibly a par score for the conditions on the day.

First match of Ives centenary season on an unusually hot day for the time of year saw Ives take to the field resplendent in their new Centenary cricket shirts.

An excellent bowling and fielding performance from everyone followed restricting Arkley to 177 in 46 overs thanks mainly to a  run  wicket stand, Adrian (3 for 39) Andy H (1 for 28), Richard (1 for 35) and Saqib (1for 26) were allin the wickets and although a couple of catches went down which might have restricted the Arkley total further, catches were picked up by Ciaran, Adrian and Bob behind the stumps.

In reply Ives quickly found themselves 6 for 2 with Ciaran and Richard back in the pavilion. Bob (32) and Adrian (14) put the innings back on track with Phil P pitching in with 19 before both he and Bob departed in the 2 balls either side of tea to halt the Ives momentum.  Phil K with a fine 44 and Saqib (22) put the innings back on track with a 67 run stand before, following their departure, a flurry of wickets fell to leave Ives 162 all out with 3 overs to play.

Despite the loss all in all an encouraging start to the season with hopefully more to come.