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How cricket should be played.

On a lovely day in June where better to play cricket than the picturesque ground at Netherne on the hill. This was a game that showed all that is good about village cricket and the Surrey Downs division 2. Two well matched sides trying their upmost to create a positive result in trying conditions with sportsmanship to the fore.

Skipper Goff won the toss again and decided to put the home side in. The wicket had a little in it all day and especially with the new ball in the first innings. My apologies to Netherne for not putting many names in but I forgot to write them down!!

Andy Morgan and the skipper bowled beautifully through their allotted overs using the helpful conditions to their advantage. Never have I, the Chairman, seen Morgs bowl so well rhythm, guile and a subtle change of pace. The stock away swingers beat the batters at regular intervals but it was the one he got to come back in that was so devastating. Daryl on the other hand used the stock line and length ball with a super slower delivery to slow the scoring to barely a run an over at stages. The skipper returned figures of 2-32 and the finesmaster 2-31 from their 15 overs. Batting was difficult but the Netherne lads never gave up the cause and as Holmwoods second string came on so the run rate increased. Again for a short time the fielding became as slack but luckily only for a little while. Eventually vice captain Jordan got a couple of wickets and  right at  the death the Chairman chipped in with a couple, one a very smart stumping by Dave Welton. 158 ao.

Tea and no hissy fits, the consensus being we gave 20 too many runs away.

In reply Darren and Rob set about the total in a composed manor until DJ top edged a hook to be caught by fine leg running round smartly. Elliott joined Tyers and took the total to 75 before the Chairman played a lazy shot to the ever accurate John Alexander who cleaned him out for 27. Clunk, Nobby the Bobby with sleep deprivation due to overworking !!! miscued a return catch for 1 and Morgs caught for the longest ever duck( Darren suggested it had taken Morgs two weeks for his 0!!) went in quick(ish) succession followed by wet weather for a well made 31, 93-5. Consolidation was needed and the Captain found an ally in steady Steve Edwards. The two played cautiously for a few overs as the bowling took a strangle hold but when the time seemed right they played some cracking cricket shots all round the pitch. With 24 needed off the last 4 overs the NH lads smelt the chance for victory. Unfortunately for Holmwood the Netherne lads bowled beautifully to restrict Goff and Edwards to a point where 6 was needed off the last ball for victory. A good, well spirited game played by 2 even sides on a tricky pitch for run making. A pleasure to play in.

NORTH HOLMWOOD 154 for 5 (42 overs) Drew with NETHERNE 158 all out (48 overs)