Saturday XI Match Report 4th June 2011

Match Report - Week 5

NH 217-8 Dec, Newdigate 140 AO

The bus arrived as planned for our short trip up to Newdigate and off we went, this time the bus was white and only a single decker. Spirits wer high after a few good wins in teh league and on a hot day where drinks were taken often, skipper Andrew Morgan decided to bat.

Darren jordan was joined by Steve Edwards at the top of the order as the skipper chose to shuffle the pack again. Both looked confident against Cooper and Crook until Jordan's head came up and was bowled by Cooper for a quick 16.

In form Robin Lines batted 3 and settled in straight away as the run rate was good from the off. Edwards went c&b to Clarke as Newdigate changed their tactics from pace to line and spin. Daryl Goff got a cracker from Richard Culcut to remove his off stump to be replace by Ian Elliott. Lines was by now in full flow and took great delight on murdering anything short or over pitched. Eventually he fell to Ruky Wickmarasinge with a ball that got bigger on him than he anticipated.

Scott Minihane looked to be positive but played round a straight one in his haste to be replaced by Andrew Guest. With the slow bowlers on and getting a little turn and more bounce than the quickies the run rate slowed considerably. At this point Elliott decided to attack where posible and used his feet well to Ruky to dispatch him numerous times out of the ground. His 69 included 6 maximums as the momentum of the game swung back to the visitors. All the while Guest rotated the strike where possible and hit a few choice boundaries in his unbeaten 18. A few quick wickets fell at the end of the innings with Holmwood looking for quick runs. Declaration at 45 overs.

Tea was great, thanks.

In replay Andrew Morgan and Daryl Goff started poorly droping short far too often rattling up 30+ in the first 3 overs. The skipper decided to change ends and introduced Darren Jordan who immeadiately found a really good line and lenght slowing the run rate down.

Goff came up the hill and found it much easier going and got Cuallcutt to mis time over mid wicket only to find Jordan running back to take a fine catch over his shoulder. When Jordan then bowled Clarke without playing a shot to a big turner the tide was turning Holmwood's way.

Jones and Wickramasinghe didn't last long as good field placings got reward. From 84-2 Newdigate slumped to 97-9 as Jordan was replaced by Lines and Goff by Elliott. A few lusty blows from Crook (27) and a sensible knock from Rance (20) took the score up to 140 before Lines knocked Crooks middle stump back. Another good all round performance by Holmwood & a entertaining ride back to the Lane via The Oak in Brockham.