Saturday XI Match Report 25th June 2011

Match Report - Week 8

NH 188-8, Claygate 146

After another evening of heavy rain the previous night hopes were not high for a quick bouncy wicket but a plastic covering helped with the preparation.

Claygate won the toss and invited North Holmwood to bat first and so Darren Jordan and Steve Edwards started the proceedings. Jordan in particular looked in good form as he stroked the ball all around the ground until being shot out for 32. Robin Lines found the slowness difficult and after a couple of attemped sweeps perished playing around a straight one for 1. All the while Edwards was accumulating runs and when Ian Elliott joined him the run rate increased as the momentum swung to Holmwood.

Elliott went for a good looking 31 and was replaced by Daryl Goff who then unfortunately went without troubling the scorer. Stewart Homewood and Scott Minihane went cheaply as the visitors grabed the initiative back. Edwards finally fell for a fine 63 leaving Rob Jones and Andrew Morgan to hit good late runs.

Tea was fine as usual.

Claygate's innings got of to a bad start as skipper Morgan cleaned out the dangerous Carmichael for 4. Each of the next 3 batsmen got in and out again as the run rate stayed a constant rate through out. Robin Lines bowled with good pace and direction and got rewards but probably not all he deserved. Ian Elliott replaced Daryl Goff, whose first spell went wicketless, and soon got reward as man of the match Steve Edwards clung on to a tough chance.

As the run rate started to climb a little the home side held their nerve as the returning Goff got 3 quick wickets whilst Darren Jordan picked one up in a short 3 over spell. Come the last over and with just 2 balls remaining Goff had the number 11 hopping and he finally defended straight to the grateful John Dibble at avery short mid off. Happy days once again at the lane.