Match 12/07/03

Match Reports

Sheldwich 1st XI v Linton Park 1st XI
Saturday 26th July 2003

A potentially superb match abandoned through rain. Chasing just over 200, Sheldwich were 77-2 with Creed going well in a purple patch of form and how much will we rue this match when the season ends?? Linton are in 2nd place and potential champions and having beaten them once and this game in the balance!!

Scorecard

Sheldwich 2nd XI v Linton Park 2nd XI
Saturday 26th July 2003

A very frustrating afternoon for both clubs, as persistent drizzle and then heavy rain washed out the clash between the second and third sides in the league.

There was time only for Linton Park to win the toss and bat - for two brief sessions amounting to nine overs and two balls. In that time it was clear that on a wicket with some grass and considerable pace and bounce run scoring would not be easy, despite the fast outfield. Both Jon Taylor and Danny Bland found the edge, a couple of chances were spilled, but in the end nothing could prevent a wash out.

Next Saturday sees the top of the table clash at Sheldwich against the unbeaten league leaders Bearsted. A win could change the course of the season.

Sheldwich Sunday XI v Macknade 1st XI
Sunday 27th July 2003

This proved to be a very exciting and highly competitive match, in which the Sheldwich "ten" just fell nine runs short of the opposition in a 40-over game.

Jon Taylor won the toss and invited Macknade to bat on a wicket, which, saturated by the heavy overnight rain, was green and probably a seamers' paradise. One man light in the field, thanks to Liam Taylor's 'delhi belly', Sheldwich started with a generous offering of boundary balls from the opening bowlers Taylor himself and Shane Green. Beake and Davenport took full advantage, going at eight an over until the introduction of Dave Prior started to rein them back in. David Knight also helped to contain by removing both Beake and Taylor, thanks to smart stumpings by Tony Creed, restored to his rightful place as keeper. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Richie Hollands taking 4 for 28 and James Cork buying a couple as well. Some excellent catches were taken, notably by Cork who hung onto a couple while on the run and at ankle height. We were pleased in the end to keep Macknade to 168 for 9 at the end of the 40 overs.

In reply Sheldwich started very cautiously against Corcoran and Rigden who used the conditions very effectively in conceding only 24 in their combined 16 overs, as well as removing Gary Metcalfe and David Knight. David Prior stood firm and batted superbly, combining watchful defence with some powerful driving against the Macknade spinners Cook and Perkin. The only real support he received was from Jon Taylor who ran up a quick 26 to put us back in the hunt. Everything changed with the arrival of Rowcroft whose hat-trick in his second over - Taylor, Peacock and Cork - left just too big a task for the last pair of Prior and Creed who reached a final score of 159 for 8, with Prior carrying his bat for a masterly 86 not out.

A game we could have won, perhaps, with 11 men, more miserly use of the new ball, and a couple of players capable of staying with Dave Prior for longer.

D Knight Scorecard