Match Report

Before we begin, this week’s Man of the Match award goes to Leon Parks and anyone in the club who helped to get Saturday’s game on. This was a monumental effort when it would have been easy for all involved to give up and get on the beers. So thank you to all involved for getting this game on!

The game itself went well for The Plough, Duray won the toss and we were to bat first on what looked a decent enough wicket. Some traffic issues meant a reshuffle of the order and two of this year’s new boys, Kurt and Stu opened up. What followed was a masterclass in setting a platform for the middle order. The opening bowlers were watched carefully and then the boys got to work on piling on the runs. An opening partnership of 126, with both the openers bringing up their maiden 50’s for the club. Kurt finished with 83 off 77 balls with Stu hitting 59 off 67. A great start to some hopefully very fruitful Plough careers. A couple of quick wickets then fell with Barras and Tisato falling early but momentum regathered through a powerful 55 off 35 balls from Duray, including 5 massive sixes. Good hitting son. Myself (29) and another debutant Dan Thomas (22) also added some quick runs with Lonnen unlucky to not get one for the averages, run out off the last ball of the innings. Innings closed 286-7.

Tea was exemplary, a good array of sandwiches and savoury goods, cakes in abundance and even the addition of some stir fried Nick Ridgways (Noodles). 7/10.

Second half and the English contingent within the side took the new ball. Myself and Lonnen kept it tight, backed up by some cracking fielding. No breakthrough was to come though until the change bowlers came on. Andy McEwan with his first Plough wicket and 8 controlled overs from Niraj also bringing about his first for the Plough. Niraj bowled with wonderful control of his pace and flight and on a day where a lot of boundaries were hit, did very well to keep the batsmen in check and take 1-35 off his 8. The rest of the wickets were shared around with myself and Lonnen coming back to take one each and Duray also picking one up as well. Pick of the bowling though was Dan Thomas, taking 2-23 from his 7 overs but deserving more. A lot of balls just too good for the batsmen to get anywhere near. Well bowled mate. Twickenham fell well short in the end, finishing on 161-8 from their 40 overs. A good win for the Plough.

A quick trip back to Twickenham’s main ground was in order with the promise of a BBQ and beers. They delivered on both with some cracking food and beers provided for us for stepping in to play at late notice. A very nice touch.

From Leon and the committee’s hard work on Friday night, to Lonnen’s badgering of people Saturday morning, to the oppo’s hospitality on the day, this was a real advert for club cricket. Up the Plough.

Matt