Deerest team mates.
2021 sees the widely demanded return of the match report. The Queen’s Speech of the village cricket world, you can expect this to be published on the Monday/Tuesday following the weekend’s game.
And so onto the matter of our first league game of the 2021 season – away at Weald. In classic British summer fashion, a few weeks of dry sunny conditions gave way for downpours in the run up to the game on Saturday, to the point where this captain was asking whether an abandonment was on the cards on the morning of the game. However the cricket gods smiled down on this small part of the Sevenoaks area, and the clouds eventually gave way to drier conditions that allowed a shortened game (30 overs) start half an hour past the scheduled kick off.
After winning my first toss as captain in last week’s friendly, Sennocke tradition promptly returned to normal service with a loss and we were put into bat on a squidgy pudding of a pitch, looking more like a brownie tray bake than the glorious track we been blessed with up at Knole the week prior.
Things were tough from the get go, with military medium from both ends getting the most out of this juicy surface, the ball seaming sideways to Rob but magically going straight on to Dan. After a slow and frustrating first 6 overs, Dan finally got hold of a couple and the pair starting pushing the fielders to add quick singles and twos to the game. With the tempo on the up, it was a quick single that was to be the undoing of the opening pair, with Dan admitting his hamstrings are more like string cheese than they used to be and thus left him short of his ground. Robert Hussein, feeling the weight of the scoring burden transfer firmly onto his shoulders, welcomed George to the crease and looked to build a solid partnership. We’re all accustomed to George playing some expansive lofted drives and scoring quickly, however it was Rob himself who decided to go beast mode when the leggie came on to bowl, taking immediate action in dispatching him down the ground for an almighty 6. On a slow track with a slower outfield, there was no value for shots, unless you sent the ball over the rope. Having discovered this tactic, Rob continued in this vein for a while, effectively hitting the leggie out the attack. Ably supported by George, who contributed a fine knock of 31 at almost a run a ball, Rob went on to 50 (one of two in the league at the weekend), before get a touch over excited and being well stumped (please see Sennocke’s Instagram account for Sky Sports action replay of said incident). At this point, the middle order power hitting phase was activated, with new signing and top all-rounder Ross Williams coming to crease, followed by myself and Boom Boom himself. The trio managed a measly 12 between them, no thanks to PC (quackers), and so Sennocke needed once more to lean on the crutch that is Julian Weekes’ batting. Surprisingly keen on running, Jules got to a rapid fire 20 off 17 balls, before the pad took over in the last over (red inker achieved). Mentions also go out to Michael Callingham, for a very handy 13 off 13, hitting some lusty blows down the ground, and to Seb, who got an absolute stinker of a ball that basically plugged upon pitching. We ended on 141, which was in our eyes around par for the conditions. That said, we had batted in what seemed like the worst of conditions, with the pitch drying out and the outfield quickening up, so it was up to our large posse of bowlers to defend that target.
When it came to it, the bowling innings went very much to plan. Everyone chipped in and only one batsmen got to double figures, bowling them out for 65 in 26 overs. There wasn’t a great deal of batting in truth, but the bowling and fielding was largely on point through the stay in the field. Ross bowled very well down the hill, going for just 4 off his 5 overs, while Phil S and Brian took key wickets early on, Brian ending up with 3 wickets in total. A couple of highlights in the field with two lovely run outs from the combination of Ross and Seb for one and for a direct hit on the run from yours truly (the best fielding of my life, let me brag a little).
Awards time, and we carry on with MVP and TFC awards that Dan did so well in his match reports last year. Looking at the scorecards, there is one obvious contribution that put the game out of reach for the Weald team on the day, and that was Rob’s innings of 53 off 61 with two 4’s and three 6’s. Congratulations Rob and well played. Going back to those very same scorecards, it’s hard to find someone who didn’t contribute in either innings, until you look at Rob’s car passenger, Mr Phil Clayton. Apologies Phil but I’m sure you knew this one was coming. But it has to be said – thanks for coming.
Onto better weather and conditions hopefully this weekend, as we welcome Outwood to Fortress Knole. Let’s keep up the momentum and continue this great start to the season. See you there, and in the meantime – swing true Sennocke.
