v Sutton on the Hill
Posted Sunday, August 27, 2006
E-mail this page 
Printer-friendly page
Sutton 174-6; Sunseekers 160-9. Match drawn
Another Sunseekers match and another run-chase and tight finish.
On this occasion, in the timed match on the undulating field at Sutton-on-the-Hill, we fell just short of the target of 175, but also managed to avoid defeat, ending up on (about) 160-9.
Jim Taylor and John Carpenter laid good foundations for a successful challenge, Jim notching a half-century and Carpo neatly managing a jug-avoidance, but, as we entered the final 20 overs - following a short interval after a failed c&b attempt left one of Sutton's bowlers with a nasty cut below the eye - the runs seemed to dry up.
Captain Brian Bennett became a frustrated figure as he tried to force the run rate, Stuart Greasley fell to a fine catch at square leg, having seen his predecessors escape with numerous spilled chances and Steve Nicholls, although hitting a couple of boundaries, could only pick out singles as we fell behind the run rate.
A mini collapse saw us needing (about) 14 off the last over - but, crucially, with only one wicket left.
After hitting a couple of full tosses solidly, only to have them saved inside the boundary fence, Steve and Jim Downes decided to protect their average, sorry, play it safe and settle for the draw.
Earlier, Fred had turned up on the occasion of his 60th birthday, for a brief appearance in the field as we were short of numbers. As usual, he beat the bat and saw several miscued and edged shots off his bowling, but chances were either out of reach or not held and he had to make do with the one wicket, removing the opener early on, bowling him off his pads.
Sutton's other opener, ex-Sunseeker Nigel Duffill, made 50 before being c&b'd by Steve, while young Carl Feix distinguished himself with two excellent catches.
In the end, a draw was probably a fair result - particularly as there was some confusion over the number overs bowled after the 6pm mark.
Champagne Moment was either Fred being upended by the boundary fence as he raced to prevent a four or Jim Downes, settling down in his armchair to watch Grandstand on TV at home, getting a call at 1.55pm to remind him that this weekend's match was today, Saturday... and that he had the kitbag.
SN
