Deerest team mates.
Our first home league match of the year saw us welcome Outwood up at Knole, on another Saturday that looked like little to no cricket would be played. Given the bleak outlook, a reduction to a 25 over match was agreed at the toss – and while we’re on the topic, the opposition won it and put us into the field.
Seb opened up from the house end, and after what we will politely call a couple of looseners, he found the magic ball to clean up the opening bat, with a beauty of a yorker. A strong start to the innings then, followed by a small period of consolidation from the Outwood batters, nudging their score into the 30’s before our other opening bowler Ross struck, another batsmen bowled. Ross bowled a good spell once again – full, straight and nippy, leading to an edged chance that was unfortunately put down behind the stumps. Phil C, desperate to avoid a hat trick of TFC awards, came on and bowled quick, managing to sneak two wickets out of a 4 over stint – one due to a stunning catch from fellow VC Rob Ede at short extra cover (leading to a very energetic airplane celly), and the other from a chop on from the batsman. I feel I’m compelled to mention that the second of those wickets ending up breaking the bail, something that got Phil very overexcited indeed. Phil tried his hardest to find a way into the TFC conversation with some real horrible village fielding, the ball going through his feet, leading him to celebrate wildly in the style of Rob Ede when he successfully pulled off a long barrier. Embarrassing stuff, truly. Looking to restore some sense, Al Bromley came on for a bowl in his fist outing of the season and was straight into his work, picking up a couple of wickets with some solid full pitched bowling, one bowled and another after high catch was well taken by John at mid wicket. All the while, Brian was whiling away at the house end, his standard miserly bowling proving too hard to get away, encouraging some bigger shots which brought him another two wickets, both caught well by Weekes and Williams. I dragged myself on for a short spell at the death, and despite the dross I put forth, I managed to sneak a wicket in as well – meaning that all who bowled on the day contributed to the wickets column, a fine sight indeed. All told, Outwood got to a round 100 off the 25 overs, which felt like a few more than they should of got but still an eminently manageable chase considering the batting we had on the day. Given the dreadful forecast, only a few light showers came and went, nothing to get us worried about coming off – in any case, Jules had once again prepared a lovely track, a surface that had took whatever drizzle there was and held firm.
On to our chase then – Dan and Rob opened up once more and looked solid in the face of some impressive opening bowling from the visitor. The tall left armer in particular whizzed a couple past Dan’s shoulder, which isn’t something we are used to seeing at our level, but sawdust (the lack thereof) would prove to be a serious limitation to his efforts to prise out a wicket. After looking like he’d settled, Edey connected with a drive but unfortunately it was straight at the extra cover fielder. This brought the lesser spotted John Okell to the crease – yes you heard it right, he’s back. And back like he’d never been away, immediately taking the run scoring pressure off of Dan, himself having given at least 4 catching chances, all of which Outwood contrived to drop. At one point, we were looking a little on the sluggish side but John’s batting gave the innings the impetus it needed, colouring an innings of 54 balls with 10 boundaries, a flurry of pulls, back foot punches through the off side, and the occasional glove or nick over the slips. This propelled us to the edge of another victory, and he sealed the result with an imperious drive through cover, a shot that not only won the match but brought up a glorious 50. Jules wept quietly on the sidelines as two other batsmen got red inkers.
To the awards. Once again we had a good showing in the field and there were contributions all round but without any single bowler standing above the rest. So it comes down once again to the batting, and John’s half century was well balanced and constructed, taking us from a slow start to a comfortable victory in the end. Congratulations on this week’s MVP award John, look forward to plenty more appearances from you this year! To the dreaded TFC – this week it’s a tough one. George gets an honourable mention as the ball totally avoided him in the field and obviously didn’t get a bowl (lest we forget what happened in the pre season friendly), and then was surplus to requirements in a short run chase. However I can’t give this award to someone who didn’t have the opportunity to display their skills and contribute. Therefore the honour this week goes to our opposition, who failed to register a point so left Knole Park with empty hands and little to write home about. Nothing personal against them (seemingly a nice bunch of lads) – but even they would have to agree that it just wasn’t their day.
We move on to week 3, once again at home, this time Cudham Wyse are the visitors. Fingers crossed we finally get a bit of early summer conditions, it’s late May for heaven’s sake. Whatever the weather, see you there and in the meantime – swing true Sennocke.
