Post date: Jul 13, 2014 8:19:41 PM
After maximum points last week against Topsham we faced Kenn at home, a team we tend to struggle against and are yet to beat. With Butler absent Sam took over as skipper with Lavis, Jutson and Phil Hatton coming in for Butler, Pat and Barry. Light rain was forecast throughout the day, but with the pitch in decent condition and having already cancelled two home games we were desperate to play.
After a heavy shower, Kenn won the toss and we were stuck into bat. Sam and Tom picked up the ball well in the first few overs being weary of the odd short ball put in by Strong. The outfield was slow due to the recent rain but Sam still managed to pull two balls to the fence. Tom could not follow suit though as he was too early on a ball from Strong and the ball came off the back of his bat and lobbed up for the easiest of catches at gully. Jack was gone a couple of balls later, he couldn't resist a short and wide ball from Gannon, slicing it to second slip who took a sharp diving catch. Phil could then only watch as Sam was next to go. Having faced 3 wides and smashing a four off Gannon (6-22-1) he prodded at a ball on a good length and got an inside edge onto his stumps. A top order collapse left us at 18-3 as Mark Fog joined Phil. The two wise heads played cautiously as they looked to rebuild. Strongs (7-2-21-2) last over was a peculiar one, the keeper injured his thumb and gave the gloves to skipper Parsons, though kept his pads on at square leg! Strong then bowled consecutive beamers at Mark who naturally called for the helmet. O'rourke and Chislett took the ball but Mark and Phil still looked comfortable and were running well together. Mark was even finding the middle of the old kookaburra! Heading towards the drinks break and towards the 100 mark, things turned sour. Mark was sent on his way, LBW to O'rourke (8-1-31-2) for a good 29, Jopling was gone the next ball in similar fashion the ball cutting in and trapping him in front. After the drinks break Dan was gone bowled by Mason. Another mini collapse had left us 6 down for less than 100 as James joined Phil. James played himself in as Phil began to open up at the other end. He struck consecutive straight boundaries as we passed 100. It was looking to play a similar shot that caused his downfall though, hitting the ball straight down the throat of mid-off, after a solid 39. James, now partnered by Lavis, was now knocking the ball around with ease as Kenn spread the field. A heavy rain shower caused the game to be reduced to 42 a side. With 15 to go Parsons brought himself into the attack, he didn't go for many but couldn't get the breakthrough. Lavis took a liking to Mason smashing him through extra cover for four and then over mid wicket. As the overs ran down Mason got the better of Lavis (31), bowling him as he looked to up the rate. Having passed 150 James struck the returning Chislett for two fours in an over before he was heading back to the pavilion. He swung hard at a wide ball from Mason (8-36-4) and was judged to be caught behind, much to his annoyance, for a vital 33. Jutson and Boother were now at the crease with 4 overs to go, after a few singles Boother received a loose ball from Chislett, he eyed it up and clattered it over mid wicket, straight out of the middle of the Salix for six, his first since under 15s! The joy was short-lived though as Jutson attempted to sweep one to the leg side, it ricocheted off his glove and into his pad, a sole appeal from bowler Chislett (7-38-1) was enough for the umpire and Jutson was given out LBW. We had been bowled out for 177, a good recover having been 18-3 and 102-8.
There was more light rain over tea but we managed to make it out in time, knowing that we had to bowl and field well to win the game. Dan and Tom opened the bowling and immediately gave Parsons and Brag some problems. The only runs that came were streaky ones through gully and third man and Dan beat the outside edge of Brag numerous times. Dan did eventually get his reward in his fourth over, finding the edge of Parsons with James taking a comfortable catch at gully. Muir joined Brag, who had played himself in and was taking advantage of a few loose balls from Lavis, who had taken over from Dan (5-11-1). Tom was bowling tight lines and got what he deserved trapping Muir in front LBW. Lavis began to find his rhythm and got rid of the settled Brag (31) with a brilliant yorker. Tom (9-1-19-1) finished his spell and was replaced by Boother, the five wicket hero of last week. He struck in his first over. Koeller opting to leave the a ball that swung in and just brushed the off stump enough to dislodge the bails, to our delight and slight surprise. We were on top at 44-4 but were aware that Kenn still had some batting with the experienced Mason now at the crease. Lavis soon got rid of him though, and in fine fashion, Mason drove the ball straight and Lavis got down early to take a stunning caught and bowled just before the ball hit the floor. That wicket-maiden meant the score was now 50-5 at the halfway stage. It was now effectively a 20/20 match and Gaydon and Chislett played in that way striking the ball down the ground and running hard. Gaydon particularly rode his luck as he eyed up Boother hitting the ball in the air with no real control. The pair managed to build a partnership and there was still a game on. Lavis (9-2-31-2) was replaced by Jutson as the required run rate crept up. He got the breakthrough in his first over, Gaydon (16) striking the ball straight to Tom Fog at cow corner who took a solid catch. Chislett (17) was gone two balls later swinging wildly at a straight ball and being bowled. 81-7 now as we looked to finish off the tail. Hutchins had other ideas though, striking Boother for six. He and Gannon pushed the sore on past 100 but the rate was ever increasing. Jutson got rid of Gannon thanks to a sharp stumping by Mark Fog, Hutchins (23) continued to go for it and this was his downfall, he struck the ball well but Lavis took a comfortable catch on the fence at long on, giving Jutson his fourth wicket and all but sealing the win. Last men O'rourke and Strong knocked the ball about and got Kenn the extra batting point, despite the efforts of Jutson (7-1-19-4) and Jacko (4-13) we could not get the final wicket for the extra bowling point and the game petered out. A shame we could not pick up the extra point but still a good win, battling the rain and picking up 18 points when it could have easily been 6.
We are four points clear of Kentisbeare at the top, who we welcome to the Milaton ground next week in the most important game of the season so far!