Shropshire tour - sponsored by Immodium.
BCCC 184-4
Church Stretton 137-9. Drawn
The CS pavilion is still under construction, so the game was switched to Condover, a pleasant ground just south of Shrewsbury. They wanted to play a declaration game, which Graeme agreed. Took us back to the old days.
On a warm and sunny afternoon we started slowly, then Keith and Archie were dismissed by their best bowler in the same over. Andrew Petit steadied the innings with Graeme, but the best stand involved George Parish, the scion of Walcot Hall, who contributed 27 not out to an unbroken sixth wicket partnership. Graeme declared, entirely coincidentally, after bringing up his century. A great knock against a mixed but competent attack and a decent fielding side. No-one else for either side really looked comfortable apart from Graeme. Captaincy does not affect his batting. (No reference to Sanjay intended, but if the cap fits...)
We used 38 overs. They were given 13 plus 20, which was almost right for a run chase.
The openers began well, with a 61 run partnership only broken when one holed out to Andrew Petit on the square leg boundary. A good catch off Wal. Indeed the silver spin twins hollowed out their middle order. Wal 3/24, including a great stumping by Phil (honest) Howard 2/26 (both bowled, oddly). Then Graeme, 3/27, with support from Andrew Hurn, set about clearing out the lower order. 7 wickets down with three overs left. Graeme bowled one, Andrew another, and the last over began with the last pair at the wicket. Graeme produced the perfect delivery, edged to second slip where Jonny pouched it with two hands. A fitting end to a great bowling performance.
Then, after what seemed an age, he dropped it.
Thanks, Jonny, for all you have done for the team. Graeme wishes you well at your next club.
BCCC 175-5
Corvedale 90 Won by 85 runs
30 over a side limited over game so a comfortable WIN for Barnes.
Come back Jonny, all is forgiven.
A decent batting performance on a respectable pitch but with a wet outfield which made boundaries hard to come by.
Another solid opening partnership from Keith (33) and Graeme (45). Graeme out in the 20th over, leaving Phil and the middle order to step on the gas. Phil anchored the second half of the innings with 48 not out, helped by quick fire runs from Andrew Hurn, Archie and Howard. 175 looked a fair target, but they have some strong agricultural bats.
The game was settled, however, in the first over, when jonny removed numbers one and three, both bowled, one with the first ball. He went on to get two more. Then two of their bats decided to play out time, making almost no effort to score, until they yielded to temptations offered by Wal and Howard. But numbers ten and jack held out so we were denied a clean sweep.
To everyone's embarrassment one of Wal's wickets was a Spanish girl who has been playing cricket for three weeks. (Note to Tim, please remove from the averages).
The rain began in the 28th over of their innings. So a very satisfactory day all round. Good tea.
All in all a successful tour, with contributions from everyone. Al the cat took a catch in a welcome return to the gloves. Will and Archie bowled some tidy overs, Tim tidily scored 131 overs, Tania and Sue produced challenging curries, prue a tasty chicken pie, Phil fanned the sausages for an hour before switching the oven on, a Welsh tradition apparently, and Peg talked a great deal.
