Shoreham 181 – 9
Betsham 176 all out

Shoreham win by 5 runs

Tension. Anticipation. Cricket. Albeit served a la Shoreham, these were wistfully expected at the start of a new season, and a new era for the refreshed and refurbished Sunday side, being led by captain elect Pat. After losing his first toss (shades of Sean) and being sent into Bat, Shoreham began in a very characteristically suspect fashion, with Mark Doughty being dismissed for a duck. It was a case of the early season sticky wicket, with Mark playing several shots before the ball appeared anywhere near him. Brownie later commented after getting out that the ball was ‘coming on quickly’. An early contender for the Duck cup perhaps? Nevertheless there is a long way to go, with pre season favourites Ed (last years champion), Jack and Pat all scoring. Nick Walker and JD then looked to settle in at the crease, reaching the score of 63 before the latter was dismissed for a well earnt 35. Nick and new batsman Sam Trick then put on another large partnership. Once this was broken when Nick went for 32, the run rate slowed down dramatically, with Umpire Haysler saving Sam from buying a jug afterwards by adjudging him lbw for 45. Some cameos further down the order, notably Kumar’s casual yet destructive 18, progressed the team to a more than respectable 181 for 9. A delightful Barrett tea followed, before the players took to the field to defend their total.

The opening bowlers responded well, with JD bowling economically and the other opener Eddy being rewarded with their opener out lbw. Then came talisman Sam, who bowled his spin to effect, taking 4 wickets. However, an ‘injury’ after his fourth sadly prevented him from buying yet another jug at the George and also from being called up for IPL duty. A moment of controversy followed, with wicketkeeper Haysler seemingly running out their batsman. He had made it back to the changing room before being called back, as it became apparent that Haysler had brushed the stumps with his elbow before hitting them with the ball. Pat lured the batsman back to the crease, where he confidently stated ‘I’m going to get out next ball now’. Cue the middle stump decisively knocked back from Sam the very next ball.

The game was coming to a climactic end, a game which one felt needed just one touch of genius. Enter Greg Taylor. After being tastefully or not nicknamed ‘Wide boy’ by his peers for his earlier bowling performance, he produced a pick up and throw seemingly from nowhere which dismissed the opposition’s most potent batsman and stunned his team mates and himself in equal measure. The game was therefore set up for a fantastic finale.

Wickets from Sam, Jackson and JD and some tight bowling from Nick, who rolled back the years, set up a seemingly famous win for Captain Barrett. However, this story was not written just yet, as a stubborn fightback from the last wicket partnership coupled with a drop behind the stumps by Haysler off of Eddy in the penultimate over of the game stretched the tension into the final over. It took a rabbit out of the hat from JD to win the game for his joyous captain. Many later congratulated Haysler on denying Eddy another scalp (no names mentioned Sam, ok!). With the only regret for the Captain being he had to go into bat, he had nonetheless led his team to an inspired victory. This meant that the team could celebrate their first win at the George, with dreams and visions for the season ahead under Capitan Barrett . A great escape for the team, Captain Barrett and Sam alike.

Alex Haysler

Posted on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2009 in Friendly Match Reports.