The magic of the Npower Village Cup was evident to all in attendance at Bidborough CC this weekend. When lowly Ash CC were drawn against Kent Village Premier League powerhouses Bidborough, few gave Ash any chance what so ever of providing significant competition for the west Kent giants.
The lead up to the tie was marred in more controversy than an episode of Eastenders. Star signing Scott Mckechnie, who had prepared for the match by appearing for Essex Second XI, and Bob Fulford and Simon Benn (both signed on a free having recently been released by Erith) were both removed from the line-up at the last minute due to confusion over the competitions rules. Team secretary Melling, aged and worn by the stress of the week’s events, refused to let the inconvenience deter his efforts, Trevor Martenstyn, Bruce Melling and Nick Cook all promoted from the reserves to help fill the vancancies. The efforts of Melling, whose boyhood dreams of appearing in the cup were cruelly dashed at the last minute, cannot be underestimated, having arranged for only the second time in recent memory 22 players to play for Ash and their reserve team on the same day.
Ash were greeted at the Bidborough Homes Community Arena by a blaze of sunshine, flat wicket and small boundaries. Captain Tripp won the toss (2 in 2 for the newly appointed skipper) and chose to bat, knowing given the conditions anything below 280 would be hard to defend. The contrasting styles of Sam Mason and Trevor Blackett entered the fray. Raw 18 year old left armer Trett, fresh from a league 7-fer opened the proceedings for Bidborough, tearing down the hill, frequently touching the 70mph mark. Bidborough captain Poulson, a bulging swing bowler from Johannesburg opened the bowling from the other end at a much more comfortable pace than his teammate. However both bowlers were greeted by the swinging bat of the dismissive Blackett. The Ash pair put on 40 for the first wicket inside 6 overs, before Trett swung one back through Blackett’s (non-existent) defences, bowled for 28 off only 23 deliveries, his captain pleased at the innings.
Sam Mason was joined by Jan Leaver, who both faced an increasingly tighter spell of bowling from the two opening bowlers. The pair put on 52 before Leaver (12) was smartly stumped by the keeper. Mason, now the anchor of the Ash innings, was joined by his captain. If the pair were to realise their dreams of a 200 target on the board at the interval, they knew the run-rate had to be increased, made hard by tight bowling and the best fielding side an Ash XI will face this year. Kent under 14 captain Waller bowled tightly, however the crowd were to be entertained further by Waller’s exploits further on into the game. Mason was caught at mid off for a well compiled 46.
Perhaps it was the pressure of the situation, perhaps it was the tight bowling (although his explanation his innings was due to him taking a guard for the first time is hard to believe), but no.5 Nick Cook was unable to continue a good run of early season form, bowled for a duck, his dreams of a cup hundred dashed for another year.
With the score on 112/4 off 30 overs, the captain at one end and Fyfe at the other, the travelling Ash faithful knew the game remained in the balance. Fyfe (9) was well caught behind, whilst Barritt (10) with half a bat but a full heart, ran well with Tripp before being bowled trying to cut a ball destined for middle stump. The score progressed to 169/8 before M Mason (2) was cruelly ran out by his greedy partner trying to regain the strike.
With one over remaining, Tripp was greeted at the crease by Bruce Melling, who played the bowling with ease, compiling 7 runs from 3 deliveries, compensating for Tripp’s inability to clear the ropes. Ash finished their innings on 180/7 after the allotted 40 overs, Tripp cutting his way to 44 not out.
At the half way stage both sides appeared happy with their efforts, Tripp noting “They’ve bowled and fielded well. Don’t get me wrong, if you offered me 180 at the start of the game, I would’ve shook your hand off. We need to bowl well though, the new ball will be important”.
No comments:
Post a Comment