I Zingari 15 September 2019

Manager Tom Scrase

Lost by 6 wickets

SOA 163 all out (Callum Russell 86, Rees Lewis 20)

I Zingari 166 for 4 (Nick Bishop 2 for 14 )

It was agreed to play a 40 overs a side match . Pres won the toss and SOA batted first in beautiful sunny conditions. Frankie and Callum made a positive start against a tidy Izingari seam attack but after 8 overs the spinners came on to bowl and it was immediately evident that run scoring was more difficult on a dry grippy surface. At drinks SOA were 80 for 2 which should have been a platform from which to accelerate. However, Izingari fielded and caught superbly and SOA could not break loose. The resultant squeeze ultimately resulted in a flurry of wickets in the last few overs as the lower order SOA batsmen had little time to play themselves in before trying to push the score along. Callum batted expertly for his 86 whilst Frankie, Rees Lewis and Hajii all made starts but could not kick on. The team knew that 163 was below par but we clung on to the hope that the pitch would take spin as the team had plenty of spin options.

Following a lavish tea, Izingari set about the run chase. The openers were watchful and skilful. Brad Bryant got some of his left armers to tail back whilst there was shine on the ball but with the abrasive surface, the shine soon went. At the other end, Tim Mahoney bowled with skill but no luck. 3 of his 8 overs were maidens and were it not for his last over, his economy would have been outstanding rather than merely good.

On another day, the left arm spin of Rhodri Lewis might have yielded 4 or 5 wickets as he was gaining turn and bounce with catches just not going to hand. The absence of scoreboard pressure meant that the openers could bide their time as well as ride their luck.

With the target becoming ever smaller some pride was salvaged when Hajii had W Gubbins ( brother of Nick ) well caught be Rhodri Lewis in the deep. Nick Bishop then had their very good number 3 batsman beautifully caught by the 14 year old Rees Lewis at long off and next over Rees himself struck when his older brother, Rhodri took a magnificent diving catch at short leg. There was just time for Bish to grab a second wicket before the SOA score was overhauled when Rees took a second catch off Nick's bowling.

Freddie the Iz captain, observed that their fielding had surpassed itself and there is no question that they were the better side on the day and they were clearly pleased to avenge their defeat of last year. Both teams thoroughly enjoyed playing at Henley in the beautiful late summer sun . Thanks to Mike Knox for standing and Neil Harris for scoring.

Pres