Waggoners
16th May, 2010What a win!! No-one thought it would have been so easy in the build-up to the game but it was. Yes, England had thoroughly thrashed Australia and Aussies around the world cried into their baggies. It was left to Shoreham then, to emulate their national side and the game was approached with just that mind set…
Shoreham were put into bat by the visitors and the established opener Haysler yet again took up the mantle, being joined by Bob Sims. Bob departed for a single although he did have to run a three for the energetic young Haysler. Bob’s exit brought Alex Mazzon to the crease who was yet to bat on a Sunday and he produced an impressive display to keep the top order moving. Unfortunately Haysler was taken in by the spin of Burley and a juggling slip catch to depart on 15. The middle order collapse that we know and love inevitably followed although the speed of it this week must be commended. Golden ducks for Dan Setterfield and Tom Palmer gave Burley a hat-trick and Shoreham a headache. It fell to Kumar to stop the rot and he did so but only after a false start trying to walk to the crease without any pads on. Kumar gave the grandstand something to cheer including a juicy 6 into the sightscreen. Mazzon fell to Franklin for an innings high score of 33 bringing Rivett the younger to the crease for a quick 15 (including his first 6) before being bowled. Kumar followed suit shortly afterwards for a personal best of 26. George Stacey and Russell Brooks kept the runs ticking over and each departed for 8. Debutant Joel Hewett delivered some fantastic strokes but fell to LBW on 12 leaving Pat without a partner to play with on a duck-avoiding 2 not out. Mr Extras chipped in with a handy 26 and Shoreham finished on 145 all out which we thought was a defendable total…
The Setterfield tea went down as well as the news of the England game and with an overcast sky the opening bowlers of Palmer (7-1-19-1) and Mazzon (7-0-13-0) looked to get some swing. Tom made the break through in his second over to dismiss Waggoners’ captain Payak for only 4 with a caught and bowled. The catch was straight out of Collingwood’s book and Pat’s jubilation was heard in Otford. Unfortunately from Otford came the noise of rain and after only 9 overs, Shoreham were back in the pavilion drinking tea and musing on which summer sport to play next. However, it would take more than a passing shower to stop this mighty team and indeed the contingent were out again in less than 10 minutes. Haysler (3-0-17-0) and Setterfield (6-0-21-0) replaced the openers and Alex seemed to be attempting to bring the rain back by hurling the ball towards the stratosphere but to no avail. Dan bowled very economically and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a wicket. George Rivett (3-0-22-0) had a go at the batsmen but ended up giving away runs hand over fist and was replaced with George Stacey (2-0-10-0) who faired much better. Bob Sims (2-0-19-0) took over one end and Joel (0.5-0-9-0) produced some impressive bowling at the other but the batting partnership between Franklin (49*) and Dalrymple (68*) consisted of 140 runs and was enough to see Waggoners through to victory with 6 overs to go.
It was an up and down day for the Shoreham team but as the rain finally came down 5 minutes after the game finished, one thing became clear: rain dances don’t work…
- George