Chelmsford v BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Benfleet 3rd XI on Sat 17 Sep 2005 at 13:00
Match was Drawn
Chelmsford v Benfleet IIIs (friendly)
17th September 2005
Chelmsford : 194 for 8 dec.
Benfleet : 185 for 9 Match drawn.
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Nice sunny day in mid September – Chelmsford away at Chelmer Park, what could be nicer ?
How about getting 11 players confirmed before we leave for the game !
The usual farce that is team selection took on a new twist due to the club meeting scheduled for 2pm.
After phoning at least 30 people, we managed to get a full 11 with young Gavin Blowes coming in at the 11th hour, with Chris Coldicott and Michael Hitchcock as well it was a good chance to see some of the victorious 4th team in action.
Due to our lateness, Andy White stood in and won the toss putting Chelmsford in to bat. Good call.
Bill Carter opened from one end and despite a bit of waywardness soon got results.
One opener trying to pull got a fat top edge, which Jacko safely pouched at shortish cover.
A few balls later and a ropey looking short ball looked like getting despatched, only for the batsman to chop it onto
his off stump – 2 down !
Chelmsford’s young skipper was next to go, having slapped a couple and got away with it, he chanced his arm once too often, and again found a waiting Jacko who took it low to his right. At 30 odd for 3 we looked well on top and the possibility of an early finish beckoned.
But the runs soon started to come, even though the wickets kept falling.
Gav Blowes was brought on for a few overs before S.Rowe took over at Bill’s end, and had an immediate result. His first ball was in the slot and smashed back over his head for a one bounce four !
Oh dear ! we thought, but two balls later, the youngster struck back. Looking for a similar shot Gav got one to pitch on off stump and move nicely off the pitch as the batsman went looking for another big drive, result – bowled leg stump. Nice one fella.
Mike Hitchcock similarly took a wicket in his spell, as did Chris Coldicott who recovered from an ordinary second over.
Scarffy even chipped in with an LBW off the worst spell of bowling seen this year !
S. Rowe, bowled 10 overs for just 15 runs and 2 wickets , including a third catch for Jacko, – and with time marching on Chelmsford saw the appearance of Andy ‘Chuck’ bowling as the time to declare at 194 for 9. Dan Ware was kept busy behind the stumps with plenty of wide stuff to stop as well, and did his part in what was an excellent team effort in the field.
Our reply started with J.Scarff going up the order to open but getting an absolute grubber, bowled for just 2.
This brought Jacko out with A.White and these boys settled down with relish. Both looking in good nick, couple of nice sixes from Jacko, we progressed well and with both in the 40s, we were well on course to chase down the target.
Then Jacko went – a mistimed drive turned into a bit of a chip and he was caught at mid-off for 46.
M. Willis hit one four to cow-corner but did not look comfortable and was soon bowled, as was B.Carter.
B.Parker was then caught for 0 and the wheels had well and truly come off our innings.
We were now looking to stay in the game. Coldicott and Hitchcock struck a few blows but didn’t stay long, and this left S.Rowe and D.Ware to steer us the ship. Both played well, defending or hitting runs appropriately, with each ball played on merit, as we all should do! These boys started to look good and with 3 overs remaining were only 20 odd off winning it. Chelmsford were starting to worry.
Then when trying to take the game to the oppo, Dan came down the track to the spinner and missed what was then a full-toss, the wicket keeper couldn’t believe his luck and we were 10 down.
Enter young Gavin again to try and withstand what was a torturous last couple of overs.
With Sam, 30 odd not out, at the other end, the boys showed great character, and despite Chelmsford’s best efforts these two saw out the final overs intact. Match drawn.
A very good game, which swung both ways and eventually was drawn with us 10 short of victory.
Next week :
At home - with the Mrs, running errands, catching up with my chores and cleaning out the kit bag for winter !
M.Willis
20/9/05
BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Benfleet 3rd XI Batting
185 for 9
Chelmsford Bowling
Chelmsford Batting
194 for 9
BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Benfleet 3rd XI Bowling