Post date: Jun 9, 2013 12:17:36 PM
The sun was shining at the Millaton Ground (again!) as we hosted top of the league Babbacombe, looking to make it our third win in a row.
Captain Jutson won the toss, and a few eyebrows were raised when he let the opposition have first go on what looked like a lovely pitch. He was almost proved right very first ball as Tom Fog found Kingdon's outside edge but the simple chance was dropped by his Dad with the gloves. Next over, the Fogerty show continued with Dan getting a few to lift of a length, with one ball hitting Kingdon's grill. After a few more tight overs, the pressure told with Kingdon finding Jacko in the covers for an edgy 7. The Fog brothers completed their early spells with Babbacombe still only one down, but with not many runs on the board. Next up was an early spell for Super Cal who struggled to find a consistent line early on. He then got a bit of luck as Ince smashed a half tracker straight to Butler at square leg. Captain Jutson was next on and he also started shakily with two full tosses which were dispatched by Sutherland, who was starting to strike the ball nicely. The captain then came back excellently with Dan Fog taking a good catch to remove Sutherland for 44. At drinks, the visitors were still under 100 and Bridestowe had managed to get 3 important top-order wickets. After drinks, Pugh struck a few boundaries before Jutson got another, with Putcha taking a great catch diving forward at slip.That brought their skipper Stuart Broad to the crease, who struggled to get the ball away early on with some big swings. Jordan was next to bowl and started well, beating the outside edge on a few occasions. Broad then started to find the middle with some lusty blows and dropped catches taking him past 50 and the team past 150, for only 4 wickets down and plenty of overs to bat. We then picked up the big wicket of Broad for 63 as Jordan dropped one short and James took a stunning catch at backward point (hopefully making up for the drop!) Dan Fog then struck the very next over, getting Redding LBW for 16, which reduced the visitors to 174-6. Fielding in the glaring sun was beginning to take its toll as we missed a few chances and gave away a few overthrows as they slowly moved towards 200. Tom Fog returned to get rid of Passmore stumped sharply by Mark and Dan removed the last two men, with number 11 falling off the very last ball to ensure that we got full bowling points. That left Babbacombe 209 all out, and with the 298 last week still implanted in our memories, we fancied ourselves as favourites to chase that score down.
The always entertaining Hatton partnership started a little earlier than usual, with Mark unable to bat until number 11 due to 'back issues' (or perhaps tactical genius?). Jacko liked the look of the opening bowlers hitting a few 4's followed by a 6 before he held back on one and was caught at mid on. Phil continued to play his shots and was well supported by Tom Fog taking us to 94-1 with less than 20 over bowled. Phil then edged one to the keeper, falling one short of another half century. Jordan was next in and picked up a few runs before he missed a straight one and fell LBW off slow left arm bowler Bates. James followed soon after the same way, with the umpires finger shooting up despite a long stride forward. Tom was then bowled by Broad for 24 going back, leaving the BCC struggling at 115-5. Hopes of turning over the league leaders were starting to evaporate but Butler had other ideas smashing a couple of huge sixes that disturbed the sheep in the next field. Nielo tried to join the party but middled one straight back to the bowler bringing the BCC skipper to the crease. Butler also tried one shot too many and picked out long-off, swinging the game back towards the visitors. Jutson was left to see us home with the youngsters and secret weapon Mark Fog to bat with. We were well above the rate but the 63 runs required still looked a long way off. Dan Fog swang the game back towards Briddy by slapping the ball through the covers fluently to cheers from the crowds. He hit another boundary before he was caught behind, brining Super Cal to the crease with 52 still needed. Broad wizzed a few past his chin before he pulled one off the toe of the bat to the boundary, sparking the bowler to walk down to the other end to express his disapproval of the shot. Cal replied by smashing the next ball through the covers for 4, which got by far the loudest cheer of the day. Juston was chipping away at the target at the other end but Cal Mal thought he would try to clear the fence and was caught on the boundary. That brought the 'best number eleven in the league' to the crease, with 27 needed for a huge victory. Our first target was the 200 for full batting points and the captain and Mark saw us there without any issues to speak of. Cool heads were required with just 10 to win off the last 4 overs, with every run getting cheered from the sidelines. It only took two overs before the captain leg glanced the ball for four and we had done it! The standard of cricket wasn't as high as either team is capable of, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable and very close game. It also made it three wins on the bounce for Bridestowe and the end of Babbacombe's unbeaten record, so lots to take forward to next weeks game away at Kentisbere!