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1st XI - Match Reports
1st XI vs Hartley - Saturday 19/04/2008Hartley - 199/7 (35 overs) Orpington - 145/9 (35 overs - D.Robinson 67*) View of a Horse Thoughts of long hot Summer days couldn't be further from our minds as we landed at Hartley for our seasons opener, freezing rain and wind and 6 degrees was enough to ensure every sane cricketer chose the bar instead of the pitch, but not us. We tried, a good 20 mins effort was put into convincing our oppo that the bar was far more inviting but they weren't having any of it, so it was out to field for a makeshift OCC. A bright start from the Hartley openers was predictably halted when Hockers gifted yours truly with his customary wicket, this after he had ruined the game by parking the only two balls with a seam on the roof of the less than happy neighbours - for some obscure reason the evergreen Woosie at deep square was on the receiving end of their abuse. Yamma persisted with the half trackers convinced they would soon put one in the air but it never happened. Sam was asked the impossible by his skip, to bowl spin with a bar of soap, but he stuck at it and got his reward eventually. Benny claimed a couple of wickets (check) as did Sheds but Hartley finished on 199-6 (check) from their 35 overs. The run chase never looked possible as the old guard old Tutty and Carter bowled probing lines with few looses balls. We finished 145-9 (check) with positives coming from Robbo who batted well for his 50 (check), Doker recorded his regulation red ink and is danger of shooting up the order soon, George batted well before deciding his young legs could make a three, but they couldn't. But whilst being predictably beaten it blew away some cobwebs, got everyone back in the routine again and gave everyone a chance for middle practice. We wish Hartley well as they debut in the top flight, with their personnel they will win more than they lose and we hope they take their social approach with them and prove you can play hard cricket and enjoy a beer with opposition after. Footnote - watching Min Patel bowl in his tracksuit top, benny hat and gloves on was a sight to behold, I wonder if he wore that attire whilst taking any of his 650 first class wickets ? View from the Skipper - Robbo Last Saturday it was time to dust down the whites and embark on the start of another long season. - or was it time to dust down the flippers and the fleeces? Remarkably we managed to get a game in under what were the coldest and most miserable conditions that many had ever played under. A constant drizzle throughout was coupled with wind and chilled conditions. In order that we didn't just retire to the bar never to return, we agreed with our opponents Hartley to start the game almost immediately after our arrival at our hosts. Hartley batted well in making 199-8 from their 35 overs. Their batsmen made contributions through out, but a combination of a few donated wickets and some good bowling kept things moving along and made the 35 overs reasonably entertaining, although the last 5 were extremely hard work in terms of temperature! Horse bowled well to take 2-18 off 9, the other bowlers used bowled some good balls but there was too much inconsistency. Sam on his 1s debut bowled well and seemed pleased with the scalp of Min - given that the ball was a bar of soap and he is a finger spinner Sam showed some pleasing early season promise. Sheds also chipped in with a couple of wickets at the end, we all hope that he might take the next step with his bowling this season, we shall see soon enough. Hartley rested some of their big guns in bowling back at us, but their bowling was still of a testing standard and their fielding was a credit to them given the conditions. Sheds looked good for his 34, and George on his 1s debut looked solid before needlessly being run out. Yours truly chipped in with a few blows towards the end, which wasn't too difficult given the attacking fields set, and Doker "red ink" didn't let himself down in his first knock of the season! A lack of resistance in the lower middle order was a worry and we will need to improve in that area and sell our wickets a little bit more deeply in weeks to come. Overall then a useful work out this early in the season despite the poor weather. We will need to improve the intensity and concentration in our next friendlies but I am sure this will come if the rain stops and the Sun comes out! Thanks to Hartley for their hospitality, we always enjoy playing at their ground and it was good to catch up with old friends after the game and dare I say I think we won this leg of proceedings! • Back to top |
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