Epping v BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Benfleet 3rd XI on Sat 08 Jul 2006 at 1:30pm
BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Won 1 wicket
Epping v Benfleet IIIs
8th July 2006
Epping : 215 all out
Benfleet : 218 for 9 Benfleet won by 1 wicket Benfleet 18 points, Epping 12 points.
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Strange things usually happen at Epping’s Coopersale ground. Its not the most picturesque place with the Nissen hut changing rooms and a square that is to say the least ‘unpredictable’. For this year’s fixture the strip actually looked worse than usual – a bit grassy but dusty as well and it looked like it had been played on that morning !
So it was handy that Epping won the toss and batted – the skipper reported that he had lost several players to the 2s this season and had no colts to speak of coming through, so we were hopeful of an early breakthrough.
These hopes were realised when Dave Miles (making a very welcome guest appearance from the 2s), opened the bowling and his extra pace and bounce at this level proved too much for one opener. But the Epping batsmen then started to settle and the runs came along on this tight little ground. With Heath and Carter back as well as the fast improving Gavin Blowes we had plenty of bowling options to support Milesy but Epping accumulated well.
At 175 for 2 we were looking on the wrong end of 250+, and the main objective might be to let them get a score they wanted and try and chase it. Then Gav Blowes came back for this second 4 over spell and got one to cut back and removed the other opener who was on 96 ! As often happens with one wicket falling, another followed – the other batsman who had got 47 leaving both of them frustratingly short of a landmark score. With both ends now open, Milesy came back with withering effect. Epping had little else and from 175 for 2 were skittled for 115 all out. Milesy returning a superb 16-5-38-6, and giving us a target we might reasonably be expected to chase.
Capt Willis opened with James Walkinshaw making his first appearance of the season.
Willis was extremely lucky when in the first over he faced, getting a big snick to the keeper who somehow managed to drop a regulation chance, while Walkinshaw played very straight on the tricky surface and despatched the bad ball well.
The wicket was treacherous with the new ball and both did well to hang on before Walkinshaw lost patience and horribly swiped at a straight one – clean bowled. Taz Webster came out and similarly got bogged down for an over before getting an absolute ‘grubber’ which hit the pitch and flew along the floor to hit off stump. As the wickets fell runs climbed but Benfleet never really got in control. M.Jackson joined the skipper and hit 29 including a lovely six which resounded heavily on the nissen hut roof. At the 20 over stage, with 114 to win, at around 5 an over but with half the wickets down, a tight finish looked assured.
R.Parmenter came out and continued to bat well in the middle order as he has recently, and outlasted Willis who had a bit of a swipe to the spinner and was caught for 59 when really he should have saw the game out. Parmenter 24 and Milesy with a valuably quick 37 got us to within reaching distance but Carter 1 and Heath 2 ensure the pressure stayed on.
With just one wicket left Gavin Blowes and Nick Walk had 2 ½ overs to get 11 runs and win us the game, or lose a wicket and send us to defeat. Epping’s skipper sensing victory brought the other opening bowler back and we were dismayed to see him bowl 3 consecutive wides !!! The skipper was not amused – and was even less so when little Gav hit the next ball for four through the covers. He even had the pain of chasing it himself all the way to the boundary in front of us.
The Benfleet lads were buoyant but nervous as the next ball was sent down – sure enough, Gav hit the same shot (though timed it better) and this time the ball raced to the rope to give us 18 points and send the Epping skipper into misery. A great game that went to the wire, and a good performance all round, particularly from Milesy with the ball and Gav showing great confidence under pressure.
Next week : No league fixture (Benny to arrange a friendly)
Next League game : Away to Old Brentwoods.
M.Willis
BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Benfleet 3rd XI Batting
218 for 9
Epping Bowling
Epping Batting
215 for 10
BENFLEET CRICKET CLUB Benfleet 3rd XI Bowling