Match Report
Highlights
Park Hill CC innings 184/8
– Ed Beesley 3/17(7)
– Matt Bolshaw 2/21(8)
– Stu Campbell 1/49(8)
Ploughmans CC innings 188/2
– Stu Campbell 100*
– Steve Britto 44
– Nicko Dowell 36*
Report
An absolute belter of a 23-degree day saw the ‘TOP OF THE LEAGUE’ Ploughmans CC take to Dulwich Sports Ground against the dangerous Park Hill outfit. ‘The Big Frederico’ Freddie Mills was off to a flyer, winning the toss and electing to bowl, much to the delight of the Bolshaw/Gray consortium. ‘The Cricketing Buddha’ Liam Gray applied pressure early and held down an end as Park Hill were providing some resistance, finishing with 0/36 off 8 including 2 maidens. It wasn’t too long before Matthew ‘Courtney Bolsh’ Bolshaw struck, snaring a very clever caught and bowled for his first wicket followed by another shortly after, bowling their number 3 and ending the day with a fine 2/21(8) incl. 2 maidens. Stu Campbell was brought into the attack and removed the Park Hill’s highest scorer on 57, who went for one big hit too many and skied a ball into the zone of ‘Mr Puff Daddy’ Ashish Paul who hovered side to side then hung onto a very tough catch. P-Diddy was then given the ball and was up to his usual antics, moving it both ways and ending with a very solid 0/13 off 5. The perky Steve Britto remained in the batsman’s ear all innings, as too did Stu Campbell, who provided free of charge valuations on their increasing collection of dot balls. ‘Yours Truly’ was then brought on in a strategic move to provide the oppo with a few cheeky freebies to lift the score a bit and give our batsman more of a hit out in the second innings! Ed ‘The Bee Keeper’ Beesley was absolutely fantastic with the ball, claiming 3 quick wickets and providing Bolshaw, Nicko and ‘Tigerland’ Tsonas with some fielding stats in the process. Speaking of fielding stats, Chris ‘Ovvvvvo’ Ovens planted the seeds for two consecutive run outs with Beesley and Freddie whipping off the bails on each. In a bizarre coincidence, two uniformed Bee Keepers entered the premises and walked along the boundary whilst Ed Beesley was bowling, with one person suggesting that not even they could put a stop on the great man. Overall a marvellous effort by Ploughmans CC restricting the oppo to 8/184, especially given our very strong batting line up from 1 to 11 that was to come.
After an exquisite assortment of sandwiches and Sainsbury Ready Salted Potato Stick crisp snacks served at tea, it was time to get back to work and mow down this Park Hill score. Stu ‘The Mailman’ Campbell and Steve Britto opened the batting and got the club off to a strong start posting 105 for the first wicket. ‘Aussie Steve’ continued his incredible start to the season, posting a class 44 runs before receiving the best ball I have seen this season, pitching outside leg and unfortunately spinning back to bowl him around his legs (shades of Gatting/Warne). It appeared Steve was more relieved that Pakistan could no longer finish 4th in the World Cup, so the dismissal did not seem to faze him once put in perspective. Stu Campbell then used some of his Speedy Boarding points to accelerate the score and blast his way to a maiden ton, including 4 consecutive sixes from one over, finishing on an incredible 100 not out en route to Player of the Match. Life Member and Club Legend ‘Nicko’ Dowell joined the great Matt Spencer up the pointy end of the coveted batting strike rate stats column, chipping in a lazy 36 not out from 20 balls, only hours after stepping off a long flight from Australia. Ploughmans getting the job done 2/188, winning by 8 wickets after 29.5 overs and maintain the strong hold ‘ON TOP OF THE LEAGUE’!!!!! A few ‘convivial liquids’ were to follow as the team made the most of the early finish and fine weather. Special mention to Tony Dowell ‘Nicko’s ol man’ who travelled all the way from Australia to watch the game before heading back shortly after, what an effort!!! Another special mention to Matt ‘Courtney’ Bolshaw who was first to arrive at the game and not the first to leave.
On that note, lets continue the streak and catch you all around the traps!
Silva
