Match Report
On the wettest August weekend in recent memory, somehow the DSG managed to play host to the Sunday Blue XI against a late replacement opposition of Viscount CC. The skipper for Viscount managed to win the toss (called Heads for those keeping track) and opted to bat first on a very sticky wicket.
Liam Gray and Greg Willis opened up for the Plough, bowling a tight line and length throughout the first 10 overs, with Greg breaking the opening partnership, catching a neat LBW with an accidental inswinger. Grayzer followed this up with probably the most village run out ever seen, as the Viscount no.3 set off for an overthrow that was never there, and Ben Fletcher on debut behind the stumps flicked the bails off to leave Viscount 30-2.
The bowling changes were then made, and Harvey Stevens and Dave Nielsen-Scott came into the attack, and the former began to make light work of the opposition line-up on his official Plough debut, taking a quite stunning 4-17 off 7 overs, so absolutely adoring line and length, as well as taking wickets for fun. Clearly jealous of the attention brother Will has been getting, Harvey bowled tight and accurately, with one bowled and catches for Harry Davies and Greg (2).
Harry came into the attack himself and took a neat 2-36, after a few months without any bowling… although he’d be the first to admit the two actual wicket taking deliveries were not his finest ever pieces of bowling. DNS also took one for himself, with Greg taking another catch. Skipper Si Carson bowled tight and was unlucky to not take any wickets.
The opposition skipper, in at 10, stuck around for a while and made a useful 28 for Viscount, either side of an early tea taken for rain, and led the team to a 138, with the innings ended by a second run out, this time by the thunderous arm of DNS.
Plough knew the score was gettable but sensible cricket was required to chase it down… however, when the top 3 batsmen collectively score 12 runs, it launches the squad into an uphill battle, as Lane, Wright and Fletcher failed to get going. Niraj Tailor then stabilised alongside Freddie Mills, before succumbing to the persistent line and length of the Viscount bowling attack. This left Plough 30-4, with another 109 needed.
Greg entered the fray, joining Freddie for a quick-fire 26 partnership before Freddie was dismissed by an awesome caught and bowled as bowler stuck up a firm right hand to snag the catch.
DNS furthered his reputation as a very hard and fast Ploughman as he proceeded to come in and smack the Viscount bowlers to all corners of the DSG, including three sixes on the bounce through cow corner. His partnership of 67 with Greg brought the Plough within touching distance, before being caught at cover for a game-changing 46.
The tension began to build as Viscount brought their top bowlers back into the attack, and a couple more wickets fell as the Plough closed in. Eventually Harvey backed up his heroics with the ball to hold off the bowling and Greg capped off a great all-round performance by nudging a two through mid-wicket to seal a good win for the Plough, with just 10 balls to spare.
A good win in a low-scoring game, on a day where a match seemed unlikely in the first place because of the August downpours, but the Plough proved their strength in depth and came up with a great team performance to win the day.
Max Writes (a lot of match reports)
