Good morning
Slight delay in the match report this week - as I forgot to do it!
I am the reporter this week, with the power of AI
Linton v Leavenheath – Match Report
It was always going to be a long day when the cricket started with a pub lunch.
The team travelled to Linton and, before a ball was bowled, settled in at the Dog and Duck for a spot of lunch. Burgers were the order of the day for most, although Wellsy opted for the Caesar salad – a decision he would come to regret rather spectacularly later on.
Having lost the toss, we were put into the field, with Stew and Dan opening the bowling.
Dan quickly found himself on the receiving end of some punishment from Linton’s young Jack, who was batting with the sort of confidence that comes from already deciding he would retire once he reached a hundred. Dan eventually got his reward, taking two wickets across his spells after Jack had indeed retired on 100.
Tris had earlier been giving Dan plenty of stick about his bowling, only for Dan to throw him the ball and effectively say, “You do better.” Tris duly accepted the challenge, although unfortunately failed to add to the wickets column.
We were boosted by the arrival of Colin and his son Oliver, who both turned out for us. Oliver bowled a very promising spell and should have had a wicket, only for Dave to make a complete hash of the chance, fumbling the ball while attempting to walk backwards and catch it. Colin, however, wasn't so generous, taking the Linton opener LBW and adding another wicket during his second spell.
Matt Archer also got amongst the wickets, while the Linton substitute fielder provided two catches for us while Wellsy was temporarily off the field. One of those catches was taken by the same young Jack who had earlier smashed his way to his century.
There was also plenty of entertainment in the outfield. One Linton batsman called for a run before changing his mind, leaving his partner stranded on 92 and subsequently run out. A few choice words followed, with the disagreement carrying on long enough to be heard from pretty much every corner of the ground.
Meanwhile, Wellsy was having his own battle. Huddled over at the side of the pitch, he alternated between going hot and cold before eventually throwing up. The Caesar salad, possibly combined with the questionable anchovy sauce, was looking increasingly like the prime suspect.
After a lengthy spell in the field, Linton finished on 282, setting us a target of 283. We grabbed a quick bite and a cuppa before heading out to bat.
A change to the batting order saw Tim Stovell, helping us out despite normally playing for Linton on Saturdays, join Dave Little at the top of the order.
Tris asked Dave what his plan was. The answer was simple: have a quick look, then hit anything that wasn't in line. And that was pretty much exactly what happened.
Dave and Tim worked well together, running a few twos and keeping the scoreboard moving. Dave eventually departed for a very useful 45, including 40 runs in boundaries, edging the ball through to the keeper off the bowler's pad and into slip.
Weavers joined Tim and the pair continued to make good progress before Tim was dismissed for 29. Simon Hobson then made a brief appearance, contributing 1, before Tris joined Weavers at the crease.
There was no messing around from Tris, who attacked the bowling and raced to 42 before being bowled. Weavers followed for a well-made 39.
Colin then came in and proceeded to smash the ball around, giving us hope that the chase might still be on, before finally being caught out on 33. Common added 2 – importantly, not a duck – while Chown contributed 7 before both departed.
Matt joined Colin and, with the required rate hovering around ten an over, the task was looking increasingly steep. Linton, to their credit, were sporting enough to give us a few opportunities, but they had some good bowlers in reserve and eventually finished the job.
Young Oliver joined Matt towards the end, with Matt making 1 and Oliver 3. Oliver practising his reverse ramp shots giving plenty of entertainment for the end of the innings. Wellsy, still suffering on the sidelines, sensibly took no part with the bat.
We eventually finished on 251 for 9 from 35 overs, falling 32 runs short of the target.
A defeat, then, but a thoroughly good-spirited game with plenty of runs, wickets, drama, questionable catching, a century, a run-out from 92, and one particularly unfortunate Caesar salad.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.
This Sunday we travel to play Wickham St Paul - but likely to be held at Halstead's ground.
It is the finals night for the T20 league, being held at Cavendish. The Final is between Acton and Long Melford.
We stopped Gestingthorpe making the final last Friday evening with a run chase in the dying light and chased down 150 odd runs with a middle order collapse. Logey getting his first 50 of the season and a groin injury at the same time!
All T20 information is on Play Cricket - search team and the details are on there.
Thanks
Dave