|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Can't find it? Site Map Site Design by AustenOsborne.com ©2003, Dulwich C.C. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday Third X1 Match Reports
Walton on Thames away on 12th May 2007 in the Surrey Championship Walton on Thames 212 for 6 wickets (S.Heath 3-40, K. Patel 2-46) in 49.5 overs Dulwich 166 for 8 wickets (S.Heath 76) in 49 overs Result: Losing Draw (1 point) A fresh season…a number of old faces…but also new players for whom nicknames would have to be found – and in some cases already have been! Having won the toss and elected to field, Dulwich’s new league campaign started…stopped…started…then stopped again. Grey skies and strong winds greeted the first Surrey Championship fixture of 2007 at Walton-on-Thames, this being after the glorious pre-season sunshine. (Welcome to the real English summer, Brett!) The strong winds combined with the difficulty for some of the players in finding the ground, and the un-scheduled breaks in the first hour caused the bowlers to initially struggle for rhythm, and the Walton openers Wrightson and Evans rode their luck to the extent that plenty went in the air but virtually nothing near a fielder. Although not pretty, the batting was effective and before long the Dogs had conceded a century opening partnership. The first wicket was taken by first change bowler Dallas on the stroke of drinks (a hot chocolate might have been more suitable) with keeper Ed Steele stepping around to take a paddled effort on the leg side. Langy then helped the team belatedly apply the brakes from the other end that the earlier conditions had perhaps not allowed. Walton then tried to accelerate and a double change brought 3 wickets for Ted’s leg spin and a couple for the Legend, before the declaration came at 212 in the 50th over. A special mention must be made here for the Lancashire Hotpot that appeared on the table during the tea break – no player in the pavilion could recall having had that particular pleasure between innings of a cricket match, but all agreed the weather made it very welcome! Armchair opened the chase with Simon ‘World Of’ Leather – what a great combination that pair makes! - and both hit cracking cover drives in the first over. However, the tight line being bowled by the Walton attack saw the required rate increase before 3 wickets were quickly lost, Grant Carveth coming in at first drop falling to a particularly good one-handed catch in the slips. Jose at 5, having cracked a straight boundary off slow-left armer Blair, offered a return chance very next delivery to become the first of what would be his five victims. Meanwhile, Ted stood like a rock at the other end and showed that he did not want to give up his 2006 title of leading run scorer easily. Wickets continued to tumble, although whilst Ted remained, victory was still in the equation. When he fell for 76 to a neat stumping whilst trying to increase the rate, the Dogs called off the chase to ensure the game was not lost. Dulwich’s first ‘home’ fixture next week sees the visit of Reigate Priory to South London, the Dogs will be aiming to ensure the Llamas limp home without any points in the bag!
Champagne moment: Difficult to find one on such a dull day, but at least Dulwich won the toss…
Pickled egg moment: A Dulwich player going AWOL on the morning of the game…thank you Langy for stepping in at v. short notice!
|