Post date: Sep 1, 2015 9:19:42 AM
For their final game of 2015, the super twos travelled to Thorverton and after after taking what they thought would be a shortcut across the back country, and Tim Shaw having to return home after forgetting his lucky green hat, they somehow arrived in good time. After looking at two very green and wet wickets, it seemed a good idea to win the toss and put them in, but Jutson kept up his incredible record and lost another toss, with Thorverton's captain having no hesitation of sticking Bridestowe in to bat.
Openers Jopling and Shaw started slowly, and were struggling to get the ball of the square, never mind to the boundary. It took until the 5th over for the first boundary, and after a opening stand of 21 D. Jopling was bowled after an unlucky flick off his pads onto his stumps. Alex Jopling was the next man in and after a lovely straight 4 he mistimed a pull and was caught at midwicket. Steve Yates was next in after a much awaited return to BCC colours; after some rusty shots, and a sublime Pietersen edge through the slips whilst eyeing up midwicket, he was starting to find his feet again and was batting with confidence. Shaw was still firing on all cylinders after his hundred the previous week and the partnership between him and Yates moved swiftly passed the 50 mark. Some quick singles and a few lusty blows took the partnership over the 100 mark, and BCC were eying up a huge first innings total. Yates was then out after stumped after a nice knock of 32, hopefully tempting him back for a few more games next year! A classic BCC collapse followed as Corey Holliday was in and out quickly without troubling the scorers, Jutson (9) went after clubbing a six, Harris (6) was bowled to one that turned sharply, and Osman 6 was caught mistiming a shot after informing Thorverton of his personal best. Tim Shaw then departed for an imperious 153 which included 9 6's and 18 4's, a fantastic way finish to a great return season with the bat! The tail added a few but young Jack Shaw edged one to the keeper and Kev Yates (8) was out caught trying to keep the strike, leaving Adam Moore 0 n/o on his debut. That left Bridestowe 244ao, a great effort on a damp pitch, indebted to Tim for another masterful innings.
After a good tea, and a few more ciders for Steve Yates, Bridestowe took to the field with Jutson (4-13) and bomber Harris (0-17) taking the new ball. Both bowlers regularly troubled the batsman with great swing and accuracy, and were unlucky not to take any wickets in their opening spells. However, with very little runs in the board, Thorverton were already well behind the required run rate. The introduction of Alex Jopling (0-44) with his sharp turning spin had the batsman confused in how to play him, and it seemed as though hitting out was their only option. Dave Jopling (1-32) was introduced at the other end and his accurate slow left-arm bowling got the breakthrough, hitting the top of off stump. With Alex still confusing the batsman and with Dave proving hard to get away, Thorverton were falling further behind the rate. Alex Osman (1-28) was introduced in place of Dave Jopling, and after a couple of deliveries that pitched on the next wicket, Osman was starting to get a better line, and he got due reward by clipping the bails and taking his first wicket for Bridestowe. T.Shaw (0-15) was introduced at the other end to try to hurry the batsmen with his pace. Jutson was also brought back to replace Osman, and took a wicket in his returning over, with the batsman mistiming his shot straight to Steve Yates for a comfortable catch, followed quickly by another well taken catch by Adam Moore, with the look of sheer shock preceding his celebration. The match was seen out with in fitting style with future BCC all-stars Jack Shaw and Adam Moore bowling the last 4 overs out between them, and the game ending with Thorverton well below the target on 188-6. It was a great match, played with a lot of laughter and great spirit, making it a fitting way to end a superb first season back in league cricket for BCC 2s, as they finished 4th in the league; winning more games (12) than anyone else in the division.