Result: Match drawn as rain stopped play.

Report: Russell won the toss on a clear, dry morning and elected to bowl first on what looked to be a flat track offering some bounce early on. With Mark Hunt once again opening up from the pavilion end, he quickly found his rhythm and picked up early wickets reducing the IZ to 70-4 off their first 20 overs. He was ably assisted from the other end by Will Blackhurst who removed T. Cassady caught by the debutant Sellers fielding just behind square. The increasing pressure was beginning to mount on the IZ batsmen, however a very disciplined and well applied partnership between Clarke and Portal resulted in a game changing period of the game, with the latter on occasion dispatching the SoA first and second change bowlers for impressive boundaries straight down the ground. The importance of playing one’s self in and having the patience to wait for the bad ball, was on full display; coupled with this, the ball was showing little sign of movement and it was becoming clear to all that this was a sound Ascott park batting wicket.

Clarke reached his ton shortly before tea, before he was well bowled by Salter, who bowled well and with good variation in the closing overs of the innings. Mention must go to Mark Hunt who bowled 18 straight overs for just 59 runs taking 3 wickets. Given the conditions and strong IZ batting line up, this was a most impressive spell by the veteran.

Following what was thought to be a generous declaration by the IZ with 50 overs bowled (267-8), the Stragglers struggled to apply themselves and we quickly found ourselves 7 (70-7) wickets down shortly before 5pm with much to do to save the game. However, following an impressive performance behind the stumps, Matt Suckling displayed the maturity the rest of the team lacked in order to stay at the crease, backed up by Blackhurst, the two batsmen remained in place until the rain finally came. My thanks to Mrs Allsop who performed a well time rain dance shortly before 4.30 pm!! Well into the final 20 overs, this game was heading towards a draw and a lucky escape for the club. Once again, the IZ were a pleasant and sporting bunch to play against which was topped off with all players enjoying a beer in the pavilion afterwards.

Team Batting First: I Zingari

 

Batsman How Out Bowler Score
1 E Baldwin Bowled Sellars 16
2 E Parker Ct Russell Hunt 4
3 T Cassady Ct Sellars Blackhurst 5
4 P Clarke Bowled Salter 105
5 J Goodhew Ct Allsop Hunt 5
6 J Portal Stumped (Suckling) Salter 76
7 M Poole-Wilson Ct Blackhurst Brown 2
8 M Marland RUN OUT (Bell) 24
9 A Troughton NOT OUT 14
10 H Lamb NOT OUT 1
11

 

T Clarke DID NOT BAT
Extras: 15 TOTAL: 267 for 8 dec

 

Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets
W Blackhurst 8 0 43 1
M Hunt 18 3 59 2
A Sellars 7 1 40 1
W Russell 7 0 47 0
I Salter 7 0 35 3
C Brown 3 0 32 1

 

Team Batting Second: Stragglers of Asia

Batsman How Out Bowler Score
1 H Hadcock Ct Troughton Parker 15
2 C Brown Ct Baldwin Lamb 12
3 I Salter Ct Marland Lamb 5
4 S Dexter LBW Parker 5
5 M Suckling + NOT OUT 19
6 W Russell* LBW Lamb 5
7 R Bell (c) C&B Troughton 8
8 A Sellars Ct Parker Troughton 6
9 W Blackhurst NOT OUT 7
10 J Allsop DID NOT BAT
11 M Hunt
Extras: 10 TOTAL: 92 for 7

 

Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets
H Lamb 9 3 26 3
E Parker 7 1 27 2
A Troughton 6 3 6 2
T Clarke 3 0 9 0
P Clarke 4.2 1 8 0
J Portal 2 0 6 0

Scorer(s): Barbara Egglesfield