Post date: Jun 30, 2013 4:27:23 PM
Having had to cancel the game against Upottery last week due to rain, BCC travelled to Whimple for a crunch 3rd vs 4th game looking to get 20 points. The pitch looked dry with a fair amount of grass on top and we were quite happy to be sent out to field particularly after recent chases and 7 bowling options. Chris Lavis opened up and gave us a brilliant start bowling their opener for a duck with a brilliant yorker. Dan 'overhead-wide' Fog took the ball from the other end but it was not easy running into a strong crosswind and their number 3 began to free his arms. The outfield was very quick and the runs began to come for the batsmen, though we were looking a little off the boil in the field. Tom Fog (7-2-23-2) replaced Dan and bowled consistently as usual getting the breakthrough with their number 3 nicking it to Mark behind the sticks. Skipper Jutson came on the other end and after his usual loosener began to find some rhythm with the batsmen looking edgy. Boother somehow dropped a simple looking catch off Fog but luckily it didn't cost us and Booth looked relieved as Dan took the catch at cover a couple of balls later. Lee took himself off after 5 overs in which he was unlucky to be hit for 25 with Cal Mal (9-1-31-1) replacing him and Jopling taking over from Tom at the other end. Jopling (5-25-1) almost took a wicket first ball but put down a sharp chance for a caught and bowled, he got some luck the next ball though as one popped and went skyward off the top edge, caught safely by Lavis. Cal was turning the ball and bowling very economically and he got his reward as Dan took a stunning catch at deep square leg low down to his right. Boother (2-23-1) was next to be given the ball and served up a beautiful (perhaps unintentional) slower ball that moved in the air and clean bowled their number 5 who as hitting the ball well. Dan (8-39-2) and Lavis (9-2-34-1) returned as they moved towards 200, with Dan coming off a shorter run up he began to move the ball and the chances came as the batsmen began to accelerate, Boother and Woodsy both takingdecent catches giving Dan the wickets he deserved. Lavis was tight at the death, and Boother showed his ten pin bowling skills as he ran out their number 8 in the last over, Whimple finished on 213-9, which seemed only a reasonable score considering it was one of our poorer performances in the field.
Jacko, coming off a midweek 100, and Woodsy, who was also in good form, took to the middle looking to set a good platform. Both scored boundaries early on but the opening bowlers began to find their rhythm and consistently good areas. Woodsy did manage to punish some short bowling, pulling consecutive balls for four, Jacko though was looking increasingly frustrated and eventually fell, caught for 20. The ever reliant Mark Fog strolled out to the crease and he and Woodsy faced out the spells of the opening bowlers, The spinner then came on a did for Woodsy (36) turning one in and clean bowling him. Tom joined his dad and they accelerated hitting the spinner out of the attack and causing the field to become increasingly defensive.Tom was looking good scoring boundaries from his favoured late cut and clip over mid-wicket. Looking to up the run rate proved Toms downfall though as the fielder at point took a good catch over his shoulder. James then struck a ball that look destined for the boundary and '4 Joes', but was taken brilliantly by the man at cover. Lavis was next in with the run rate still under a run a ball, Mark began to open up and moved past 50 with some textbook drives (there is life in the kookaburra yet!!). Lavis then fell and decided to join in with the bowlers send off!! Jutson came and went, caught well at mid-off. The BCC collapse looked as if it was back, but with Mark at the crease and the run rate still at under a run a ball there was still hope. Jopling took to the crease and punished the new bowler pulling two identical boundaries, 40 needed from 8 overs, the game was in the balance. Mark, who had hardly looked troubled all day, somehow managed to miss a full toss and had to depart for 64. Dan came to the crease, and ran well.Two more fours from Jopling. 18 needed from 4 overs. Dan went for a drive but didn't catch all of it and was superbly caught low down at mid-off. Super Cal came in, and survived the last over of the skippers spell. 10 needed from 14 balls. Jopling tried to take the pressure off with another boundary through mid-wicket, but didn't connect and was caught, he trudged back to the pavillion rightly disgusted with himself! Boother was the last man, but he played on first ball as his eyes lit up at a full toss. A great game, in which we fell agonisingly short. We shall need to up our game next week for another key clash as we face Whitchurch at home,