Post date: Jun 4, 2017 11:39:23 AM
Preparations were all a bit last minute for the super twos to welcome the visit of Chelston & Kingskerswell with poor weather during the week meaning that the ground work all had to be done the morning of the game and despite a clear and sunny morning, the clouds were starting to build again as the teams assembled at Millaton. Newcomer Steve Pullen had to cry off at the last minute due to a minor family emergency and that meant the chuckle brothers, Ebby and Corey were again re-united. It was also the 2017 season debut for Steve 'Jazz Hands' Batstone who was not his usual epitome of sartorial elegance given winter intrusions into his cricket bag by pets and wild animals.
In the increasing gloom and given the weather forecast an important toss to win, it was with little hope that skipper Lee Juston was again given some advice on statistics and probability before trudging to the middle for the weekly humiliation of losing the toss. The home changing mood was lifted considerably when Jutson returned with the surprising news that he had actually won the toss and that it would be the visitors that would have to bat first in the worsening conditions.
The game started on time and as usual, the opening pair of Lee Jutson (9-3-21-1) and Tim Shaw (9-2-22-1) were miserly in their opening spells of 6 overs each. Visiting openers Ibbotson and Webster were stolid and whilst few runs were flowing, the pair successfully negotiated the good opening spells with no loss . It was hardly chanceless but mis-timed shots either didn't go to hand or rocketed past keeper and slips with nothing held. A well forecast rain interruption took 6 overs out of the game but good use of the covers meant that the excellent pitch was kept dry but it played a part in the visitors not generating any momentum. First change bowlers, Dale 'Bomber' Harris (5-0-29-1) and Corey Holliday (6-0-12-1) both made breakthroughs pretty early in their spells with Bomber the first to strike when a horrible knee-high full toss was top edged by Ibbotson and pouched by Dave Jopling. Jutson rotated his wealth of bowlers with Ebby Vallance (4-1-12-1), Gideon Pritchard (2-0-19-0), and pick of the bowlers Dave Jopling (7-0-26-2) all turning their arms over. Wickets fell at regular intervals and the return of Tim Shaw and Lee Jutson contained C&K and despite not bowling them out, Bridestowe were pretty happy at tea time having limited the visitors to an eminently gettable 156 with extras top score at 35.
After a hearty cheese and chocolate fuelled Jutson provided tea, it was no surprise when the skipper pointed to Batstone and Shaw to strap on their pads and lead the BCC reply. Given the suspicious stains, Batstone preferred his bright yellow YMCA batting helmet to his wide brimmed hat and tucking his vermin nibbled shirt into his trousers he strode confidently to the middle playing some grand looking practice strokes on the way as he desperately tried to re-familiarise himself with his bat. What followed demonstrated what the super twos have been missing all season as Batstone and Shaw ticked along at 3 runs per over to see off the opening spells of Lewis and Karssons. As the skies cleared the sun shone on the righteous as the pair passed the 100 partnership for no loss and the wisdom in the hutch was that it was going to be the first time in living memory that the twos had seen off a total without loss. Sadly it wasn't to be and Stevo finally lost his concentration and top edged a wide ball to finish up on an excellent 30 with the total on 127. Ian Jutson joined Shaw at the crease and did well in rotating the strike to allow Tim his ton. It was fitting that it was Shaw (105 n.o. from 100 balls) that took the winning runs with a trademark pull to the boundary.
So a good win for the twos and a lesson in patient batting from the returning and somewhat disheveled Batstone. After 2 weeks at home, the super twos are on the road again next week at Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough.
Scorecard https://bridestowe.play-cricket.com/website/results/2910912